"NUT STEW"

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21775, 6 May 1936, Page 15

"NUT STEW"

TOPICAL COMEDY

COLLEGE STUDENTS' EXTRAVAGANZA

With wc men's ballets that are strikingly froc :ed and well trained, skits on such topical subjects as the Labour Government and its Ministers, and comic references to many matters of public talk at the moment, the 1936 Canterbury College "Review," which began its season at the Theatre Royal last evening, provides unusual entertainment. It possesses all the qualities that give student revels their special appeal. , i ., 1 ■ Although "Nut Stew," the title piece of the review, is given pride of place, its supporting interludes are just as entertaining, and one or two of the skits are wittily and incisively written and well presented. The first interlude, "The Sleeping Beauty," is a new version of the old story. The good things bestowed on the princess at her birth are all strikingly modern, but the bad ones given in the witch's curse include such homely things as the gut of a face "like the back of a barn." The gymnastic club's display before the College House piece gave pleasure in its rhythmic movement and skill. One or two of the members of the squad would appear well in a firstclass tumbling troupe. Probably the best single item in the whole review was the lady editor's monologue in "Colonial Geese, or He Should Have Been Twins," presented by College House. With its apt asides and repetitions to the tune of "Funiculi, Funicula," as the lady editor took notes over the telephone, the monologue scored an instant and well-de-served success. The same interlude dealt with another amusing idea m presenting the parliamentary candidate who decided to run for two parties at once, standing for Reform in Christchurch and Labour in Waipukurau, conducting his electioneering by aeroplane, and then winning both seats. The men's ballets in this piece had obviously given insufficient time to rehearsal. . "Deans Bush Doings, or Reinhardts Delight," presented by Rolleston House, was a parody on the production of a recent Shakespearean film. Its initial ballet of lumbering fairies was the best of the men's dances, and the parody of the song "Trees" was a really diverting episode. The given such names as "Applecore," and "Asparagus Shoot, reported to the Queen Titanic the misdoings of King Holderon, who devised an adequate punishment. The song, "Public Sweetheart Number One," went with a ready swing, and was sung by a good chorus. "Nut Stew" itself is described in the programme as "a very lamentable comedy in three acts." It is the tale of a youth whose love seems doomed to disappointment because his grandfather's will forbids him to marry before he is 91. Through a misunderstanding with a friend while he is drinking off his sorrow, he attempts a burglary, but enters the wrong flat and tries to steal a baby when he should have stolen a dog, and generally makes a mess of things. The piece was chiefly notable for its women s ballets, which were attractively and unusually dressed, and really well trained, a set of tall girls in black and white being outstanding. Solo dances, including- a umba parody, were well done. Between the acts the "baby" ballet of men was diverting. "Nut Stew" will be performed again at the Theatre Royal to-night and tomorrow evening. Those chiefly concerned in its production were: General producer, Mr Bernard Beeby; stage manager, Mr P. H. Blakiston; women s ballets, Miss Rona Vaughan; men's ballets, Miss Peggy Holmes; costumes, Mr C O'Malley and Miss M. Wallwork; words and lyrics, Mr A. J. Southgate; orogramme, Mr C. E. Holmes. Fritz Seymour's orchestra was conducted by Mr G. Anderson.