THE ARTS BALL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 122, 25 May 1934, Page 11

THE ARTS BALL.

GAY SCENE AT CABARET. An event that is keenly looked forward to each year is the Auckland Society of Arts ball. Weeks beforehand dresses ara being planned and sets arranged, and last night when the function took place the scene at the Peter Pan Cabaret was gay one. The costumes wore varied and colourful and an atmosphere of revelry prevailed. The grand march was a feature of the evening, and as different characters and sets approached they were received with rounds of aplause. Those representing characters carried out their parts with skill, and a fascinating sight was presented- as tall, stalwart Indian chiefs inarched along with heads erect, as costers slouched by with cigarettes hanging from their lower lips, as gracious Spanish ladies waved their fans and as coal black mammies swayed to the rhythm of the music. The interest was added to by special items.

Trie decorations were particularly fine. They were the work of Mr. Stephen F. Champ, Mr. Vernon A. Browne and Mr. Pascoe Redwood, assisted by certain students of the Elam School of Art. They were to be seen in the form of black and white panels representing the various arts, there being on the musicians' stand two lighted drawings of torsos. In the supper room, where the decorations were the entire work of Eve Vaile, were masses of bronze colourpd Chrysanthemums.

They were arranged on the two long tables in tall vases, while low bowls full of the same shaded flowers were placed around them. Greenery in huge clumps was in each corner of the room. The judges for prizewinners were Dr. E. B. Gunson, Mr. W. H. Gummer and Mrs. F. P. Worley, and their task was no easy one. The winners were as follows: Best lady, Mrs. J. Hammond, as Isis; best gentleman, Mr. Armstrong, a Mexican; most original costume, Mr. G. Mills-Palmer and Miss Williams, as candle and moth; best character, Mr. B. Donovan, as a Viking; best national group, M» ss Cecil Hall's Red Indian set; best optional group, Mrs. H. W. Wilson's "old plantation" set. An additional prize was presented by the judges to the most spectacular set, Mrs. I). Hansen's "Prosperity and Depression." All attractive and highly amusing set was "The Old Plantation." In red checked frocks and large white aprons the ladies represented "mammies" and "Topsies," and the men were in kliaki overalls and large straw hats. Included in the set were Dr. and Mrs. H. W. Wilson, Mrs. David Nathan, Commander and Mrs. William-Powlett, Mr. and Mrs. Mervyn Reed, Mr. and Mrs. W. McKail Geddes, Mr. and Mrs. H. McKail Gcddes, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Donald and M. Edouard Joubert. In the Red Indian set were Misses Gwen Atkins, Mardi Brook, Flora Fenton, Cassie Gribble, Lorrio Hammill, Gladys Maher, Doris McGowan, Claire Seale, Kitty Smallbone, Alice Soutar, Joyce Wright, Messrs. John Brook, Rae Carylon, Norman Cross, Ron. Fenton, Stan. Harris, Claus Hyauiasou, Terry Morgan, W. Rich, Clem. Seale, Gerald Wright, Harry Withers and Norman Young. The girls wore white fringed jackets decorated with wools and skirts to match, with red moccasins, and the men were in brown trousers and jackets, with high feather headdresses. As a set of "Florodora" islanders from the musical play of that name, Mr. W. Laird Thomson's party presented a colourful and attractive picture. The girls wore coral pink hooped dresses with beautiful lace inset, and mantillas of old black lace suspended from high combs. The men were attired in neutral coloured trousers with bright trimmings, "brilliantly coloured sashes, neckerchiefs and vests to tone. The party included Misses Betty McGregor, Alice Magill, Dorecn Hamson, Freda AVarnock, Joe Tolhurst, Ailsa Bell, Messrs. Ray Crockett, Jack Entrican, George Mitchell, Davis Lewis, Graham Bell, Roger Aickin, Wham Thomson. The "Old Colonials" set arranged by Miss Margaret O'C'onner. had period frocks of pastel satins with lace panels and hip panniers. The men were in dress suits with lace cravats and ruf•fjfej and those t;.,king part were: Misses Margaret O'Connor,' Marjorie Murray, Betty Buddie, Margot Pountney, Esme Burcher, Leila and Brownie Fox, Vivian | Paque, Messrs. J. Cottier, B. Leitch, R. Hull, T. Dacre, L. Ingram, I. Watkins, K. Warburton and D. McCorkindale. Representing "Tinker, tailor, soldier, sailor, rlcTi man. poor man, beggar man, thief," were Miss Elizabeth Burges Watson's set. Taking part in the set were: Miss Elizabeth Burges Watson. Miss Mary Bnrges Watson, Miss Margery Suter, Miss E. Studholme, Mr. Douglas Mill. Lieutenant-Commander S. 11. Carlill. -Lieutenant Courage and SubLieutenant Kidson. jTrornm'tv and sloit," arrangc.l by Mrs. Desirce Han.cn, was a very spectacular set. Sirs. Hansen was the Spirit of Prosperity and -a. costume

of glittering gold coins, with her face, hair and hands gilded. Iler gold headdress had a star of gold in the centre, and she was concealed in a nugget of gold and drawn on to the floor by ilisf.es F. Butterworth and Dawn Collier who represented Spring. The part of Old Man Depression was taken by Mr. J. C'ranswTek, who was seated on top of the world, which was drawn in by Messrs. F. Walrond, Prendergast, H. Roper and Rewa, who all wore snckcloth until a given moment when they became John Bull, Uncle Sam, a colonial and a Maori. From that moment Prosperity was seated 011 the world's top and departed to the strains of "Land of Hope and Glory."

The set arranged by Miss Althea Parker was a set of playing card's in the heart suit. They were dressed in white and encased in clevorlv drawn cards.

A clever effect was gained as the 13 cards ehuflled themselves. In this set were Mrs. Gordon Minliinnick, Miss Althea Parker. Miss Barbara Pierce, Miss Jean Kent, Miss Margaret Rainger, Miss Natalie Stratton, Miss Leah Byddle, Messrs. G. Minliinnick, Chris. Parker, Alan Jordan, Ronald Yates, Reginald Jeffrey. Ronald \ock and Terence Agrnen-Sinith.

A very attractive Breton May Day set was arranged by Mrs. Alan Dignan, and those taking part were Miss Pat Stanton, Miss Dulcie Boucher, Miss Margaret Ividd, Miss Betty Coe, and Messrs. Barry Abbott, J. Peacock,

Hector Goodfeliow and Sydney Sheath. A small set representing skiers included Miss Nell Sturtevant, Miss P. Dixon, Mr. D. Jackson and Mr. D. Robinson. On their arrival the guests were received by the president of the society, Mr. C. Reginald Ford, and among those present were: — Among thoso present were: Lady Sinclair Loekhart, who wore a frock of black lace under a Paisley wrap; Mrs. W. Coleman, black georgette; Mrs. Gilbert Archey, opal blue satin; Mrs. Winstone, lemon coloured crepe suede; Mrs. F. P. Worley, maroon lace; Mrs. Clifton Firth, pink lace; Mrs. Ernest Davis, cherry georgette; Mrs. Murdoch Smith, mustard toned crepe suede; Mrs. A. Watson, nut green chiffon; Mrs. R. Isaacs, almond green georgette; Mrs. H. R. H. Bloomfield, violet georgette; Mrs. Champ, pastel pink crepe suede; Mrs. W. J. A. Thompson, black ring velvet; Mrs. Outram Horspool, black ring velvet; Mrs. Robinson, pastel pink brocade; Mrs. G. Kent, crushed satin; Mrs. H. M, Buchanan, maroon lace; Mrs. A. E. Moore, gold lame; Mrs. F. Marks, black windswept velvet; Mrs. J. Alderson, black velvet and lace; Mrs. Mark Davis, almond green beaded crepe suede; Mrs. A. J. C. Fisher, black panne velvet; Mrs. 11. Green, black velvet and lace; Mrs. V. A. Brown, black and scarlet striped satin; Mrs. A.. W. Clieal, black georgette and jet; Mrs. St. Clair Woollams, cerise georgette; Mrs. Eric Marco, black ring velvet; Mrs. H. Corbin, pale green windswept velvet; Mrs. A. Braham, sky blue satin and ermine collarette; Mrs. M. Hart, blue ring velvet; Mrs. Arthur B. Bullock, silver lame; Miss Eise, black lace; Miss Dene Plumms, gold lame; Miss Helen Seabrook, eau dc nil satin; Miss R. Coleman, black net and georgette; Miss Cook, wine coloured lace; Miss C. Louisson, sage green ninon; Miss Bang, green velvet worked in silver. In fancy dress were: Mrs. 15. B. Gunson, Spanish lady; Mrs. Alan Dignan, Spanish senorita; Mrs. Gordon McCallum, Spanish girl; Mrs. W. H. Guminer, powder and patches; Mrs. L. Gillett, Turkish Delight; Mrs. G. A. Jones, Chinese fantasy; Mrs. R. McCrystal, a ballet dancer; Mr. R. McCrystal, Spanish king; Mrs. John Hammond, "Isis," Goddess of the Moon; Mrs. A. Neville, Mexican lady; Mrs. Harold Haines, Carmen; Mr. Harold Haines, toreador; Mrs. J. B. O'Loghlen, Roman Scandals; Mrs. J. B. O'Loghlen, Roman lady; Mr, J. Hammond, wizard; Miss Jean Horne, Hungarian peasant; Miss Marjorie Cerutty, Russian dancer; Miss Zelma Spry, "Miss Ccleplione"; Miss Muriel Pierce and Mr. Bruce Freney, Apache pair; Miss M. Johnson, fencer; Miss Jean Smith, Eastern lady; Miss Joyce Gooding, Spanish princess; Miss Patricia Lusher, fiesta; Miss Babs Sutor, sailor's lass; Miss Elsie Richards, moth: Mr. Lockyer, "Dick Turpin"; Miss Eileen Adkins, drummer boy; Miss I. Carnley. Spanish bride; Miss Dolly Wickman. aarly Victorian; Miss Winifred Crosher, Spanish senorita; Miss Helen Glasgow, little girl; Miss Phoebe Youns, Peter Pan; Miss F. Heron, period frock in blue and pink; Mr. E. Shorter, Chines.-; mandarin; Mr. J. Crippen, half and half: Mr. Denis Abbott, minstrel; Mr. T. Miller, sheik; Miss Alice Makgill. Spanish princess; Miss P. Newton, early Victorian frock; Miss Helen Fenwick. 'Catherine Parr"; Miss Cawkwell, red: tnd black picrrette; Miss Hcrt. modern arty; M : ss Laurie Hammill. huntress; V'r. Stan Harm. Inilirn chief; Miss Lilian Skeels and Mr. Bert Skeels, toy soldiers; Miss Joan Lowrie, red devil; 1 irisa Phyllis Dix, snako charmer. I