GYMNASTIC DISPLAY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 239, 9 October 1930, Page 10

GYMNASTIC DISPLAY.

Y.M.C.A. ENTERTAINMENT.

OPERETTA PRESENTED.

The annual'gymnastic display of the Auckland Y.M.C.A. was given a new form when presented at the Scots Hall last evening. The entertainment will be repeated this evening. An operetta, "Hetty Lou," produced by Miss Lillian Braithwaite, dances and ballets -by pupils of Miss Cecil Hall and gymnastics- by, Y..W.C.A. girls have been incorporated and the result is a splendidly-varied programme free from dull moments. The hall was well filled for the opening performance, which was well received. The story of a girl, who varied her age from "grown-up" down to 10 years to meet the exigencies of an attempt to retrieve the family fortunes, is unfolded in "Betty Lou." Miss Gladys McAiianey achieves "a pleasing degree of naturalness in the title role and her characterisation of a high-spirited young lady, and then of a child of tender-years, but very alert mind, is well done. The operetta is rich in catchy tunes and in these Miss Braithwaitc/Miss Eileen Thompson, Mr. Norman Tibbutt and Mr. Laurie Stewait won well-earned- applause; The humour was provided liv Miss May Andrews and .Mr. Kenneth Scott. Miss Cecil Hall's pupils were responsible for the ballets and another notable feature was a men's chorus led by Mr. Jack de Rose. The Misses Doris 'Webb, Mona Johnson, Olgrt, Blake and Ivy Maxwell and Messrs. Frank Rogers,"Will Elsby and Murray Thompson appeared in minor roles. -■' Covering a wide range, the gymnastic i displays were a convincing demonstration of the form of physical culture carried out at the Y.M.C.A.','under the direction of Mr. Frank Rogers. Leader H. Parker >mvo an exhibition of electric club swing•inf which was one of the most popular items, the lights flashing and twirling in amazing patterns on the darkened stage. Other items were an advanced balancing set by Leaders Middleton and Eawle, a o-raceful performance on the parallel bars by the Y.W.C.A. girls, and exercises on the-horizontal bar by Grammar School b °Miss Cecil Hall's pupils executed their ballets and dances with grace ami skill. The solo dancer with the ballets was Miss Holmes, who. also appeared in a duo C with Miss Marjorie Brook. Miss Clara Searle gave an Indian daggcl; dance, Misses Joyce Wrisrlit and Gwen Atkins appeared as the* "Hollywood Girls and Miss Kitty Smnllbonc and Mr. Claude Hyauiason danced an "Adagio.