“UP AND ATOM"

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24868, 7 May 1946, Page 3

“UP AND ATOM"

STUDENTS’ REVUE AT THEATRE ROYAL

‘Up and Atom,” one of the brightest and most entertaining of the many bright revues the students of Canterbury University College have given in Christchurch, began its* season at the Theatre Royal last evening. All the fun and gaiety, the happy lampooning of national and international characters that made the revues among the most popular entertainments of prewar years are back again. As the name implies, the theme chosen for this years revue has given the students boundless scope for their frolics. A merry plot of traffic in first atomic and later “anatomic” secrets winds a hilarious course from the college board room to the moon by way of the museum and “Bellamies Restaurant,” and embraces an extraordinary variety of characters from unmistakable local politicians to UNO delegates and even the Amber of banned novel fame. A particularly well-written script has made fun of many of the better-known events at home and overseas in recent months.

The opening scene shows the College board deciding that because of “the shortage of space” “Rudderford” and ‘‘Marie Curry" must make their atomic experiments in Room 998 of the Museum. There the scientists and their most impressive-looking equipment are mingled with ‘‘Dr. Feller and his pets,” which include a huge dinosaur. A merry international mixup begins, when by some atomic magic a box full of Egyptians headed by “George Wog” appears amongst the “mummys.”

Politicians and Amber are introduced in Wellington where, after George Wog and his friends have disposed of their atomic secrets, "Mr Mudholland" and “Mr Bolsh” join in a duet, ‘.‘A Statesman’s Lot is Not a Happy One.” An atomic explosion blows them all to the moon, where they shatter the peace of the court of “King Loon,” whose wisdom eventually solves all their problems. Sprinkled through these extraordinary adventures are a variety of ballets, which are a particularly praiseworthy feature of this year’s revue. They were trained by Miss Phyllis Newman, who must share with her brother. Mr Maurice Newman, the producer, and the musical director, Mr William Trussell, much of the credit, for a particularly good show. “Up and Atom” will be shown for three more nights.