ROCK 'N’ ROLL SHOW

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28159, 24 December 1956, Page 7

ROCK 'N’ ROLL SHOW

AUDIENCE BEHAVES “UP TO A POINT’’

“Good evening, cats and kittens.” were the compere’s opening words at the Rock *n’ Roll Show at the Civic Theatre on Saturday evening. He then requested the audience to behave up to a point, and not to overdo it. The audience did behave—up to a point. At no stage did a riot seem imminent, but the placing of the point appeared to be a matter for individual interpretation. When the compere (Mr Gordon Wilson) attempted to introduce an item he was usually drowned by the catcalls. During items enthusiasm was expressed mainly by clapping—sometimes in time with the music. The dress of the audience was varied, but there was a solid core of stovepipe trousers and draped jackets. The women in the audience largely favoured tight black or “cancan” skirts. “Operation Deepfreeze” was well represented.

Dancing in the aisles occurred only during the genuine rock ’n’ roll numbers, and it was confined to what appeared to be a claque. The atmosphere was established with the first number —a jazz version of “God Save the Queen.” Rod Derrett and the Rockets opened the programme with “Rock Around the Clock,’’ and this generated considerable excitement. The programme did not consist entirely of rock ’n’ roll, of which there seems to be a limited repertory. The excitement, however, was sustained even when rock ’n’ roll was not being played. Indeed the excitement was so loud that it was almost impossible to hear what was being played. “Razzle Dazzle” was given added interest by the sudden appearance of what was obviously a “square.” He danced violently behind the drummer for a few seconds, then stood with arms akimbo, gazed at the band with obvious disgust, spat on the floor and left.

Drake Doty, from “Operation Deepfreeze” who, according to the programme, was to have performed “in the Elvis Presley manner,” had a style which bore more resemblance to Burl Ives. One of his items, a ballad, was one of the best of the evening. The name of the song was unfortunately lost in the general uproar. The Elvis Presley manner was demonstrated admirably by Colin Saggers, who sang “Heartbreak Hotel.” Wild gyrations of the body and agitated waving of the arms were the chief charcharacteristics of the style. The traditional final number at jazz concerts —“The Saints”—was chosen to end the programme, but it was given the rock ’n’ roll treatment. Most of the audience were still dancing as they left the theatre.