"HOME BREW."

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20543, 11 May 1932, Page 7

"HOME BREW."

CANTERBURY COLLEGE REVUE. A BRIGHT PRODUCTION. . The nameN "Home Brew" for *• the Canterbury College Students' Revue of HK!2 was well chosen. The analogy was' perfect. The students made it themselves;, they enjoyed making it, and they claim that it will dispel dull care. "Home Brew," which opened ft ihrco-night season at the St. James' Theatre last evening, conforms to the uiiual type of concoction the students present once a year for the entertainment of the public and the lining of their Association's pocket. This year they have done well, and the infectious happiness of their performance last night is a welcome break in these times when it is so fashionable to be gloomy. From beginning to end there is scarcely a jarring note in "Home Brew," and the variety and originality of the sketches are to be commended, Anybody searching for three hours' care-free enjoyment has no farther to look than St. James' Theatre. The outstanding part of the programme is that tilled in by the nonresidential men in a well-written musical play with a skilfully conceived plot. "A Bad Time Story" tells of a business man's dream and his excursion into tho realms above, where he discovers that all is not right with Heaven, however difficult the situation . is on earth. Depression, it seems, is iarreaching in its manifestations, and angels are not free from mundane disturbance. Mr Chichester-Jones and his amazing adventures among the clouds provide the basis for a series <of extremely amusing meetings with some of history's favourite characters, Queen Elizabeth, dignified and cold, forgets her position long enough to cavort merrily with her obedient Raleigh and her friend Napoleon. Henry VIII., encircled by his wives, finds Heaven a more difficult kingdom to be ruled in than England was to be governed. The fair lady Dido and her retrieved gallant, Aeneas, are brought, uprto-date in a very refreshing manner in a tap danco porformed for • the benefit of their follow ghosts. According ■• to Elizabeth, these two are the onlyhappy ones Iptt in Heaven. "A Bad Time Story" shows evidence of careful preparation, and the acting of the principals is just as good as the singing of the angel chorus; which is well up to professional standard. The settings and costumes arc excellent and those who wrote and produced this half* .hour sketch are deserving of the heart-' iest. congratulations. •"" Theirs" is 'the brightest effort in a bright programme.. "Hullabaloolah/' presented by College House, shows life on a cannibal island, on its lighter side. There are many laughs to be drawn from the antics of the cocoa-skinned inhabitants and their portly chief, who entertain a party of visiting economists in a very warm sort" of way. All roads lead to the pot on Hullabaldolah andi the slimness of' the' guests is no deterrent to" the appetite of'the king. Although it. does not seem necessary for the leading lady to squeak in an unintelligible soprano, particularly in the several songs she has to sing, and although the introduction of a school of Bolshevists into tho plot has not much point, the good acting and singing .of, his Majesty and tho vigorous avidity of the cannibals make up for a lot. • s The Rolleston House sketch was well conceived and quite well written, but it was done with a lack of polish. "Athena et Puer Fresha" tells the sad story of the disillusioned frosher, entering the JJniversity filled with hope, with ideals shining before him. The professors, the students, and the members of •the various clubs are paraded before him, painted in none too glorious colours, and his disillusionment is complete. The satire on the Student Christian Movement, and tho impersonations of some of the professors are amusing. The student who -played the part 1 of Athena (the, unhappy goddess of .learning) takes most of the, vvork. on; his shoulders, and does it Well,: ~ ~ An original .plaj% written.'at-tho. 001--, lege, and starring members of. the iDramaas its'plot an incident in the day's work of three unemployed relief workers. It is a good one-act play , but was not very well done last night. "Relief Work" is rather out of place in a revue, as it is deadly serious. Dancing and singing by members of the. Women's Club are an attractive interlude in the programme. The settingis a, pirate ship and-the costuming is bright and pleasant tb the eye. An ec-; centric dance, a high-kicking ballet,| and ; a step-dance ballet show careful sre- ' juration, and some talent. The College Growers are again here in full force and good voice, and they have a fine selection of songs, to which they do justice. Credit for the performance is due to the producer. Miss Kiore King. "Home Brew" will be presented ajjain tOrniglit.