Romantic "Night In The Orient”

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29235, 20 June 1960, Page 2

Romantic "Night In The Orient”

Under the soft glow of swinging Chinese lanterns a haze of incense curled from hundreds of slender burners, thousands of paper apple blossoms shivered lightly on black branches and glittering Eastern costumes combined to create an unforgettable atmosphere for a ball entitled, “Night in the Orient." Organised by the Black and White Committee and the Auxiliary of St John of God, Marylands, the ball w. s held at the Tea Kiosk, Addington Trotting Grounds, on Saturday evening. Magnificent decorations with an Eastern theme were arranged in the ballroom and adjoining rooms. Behind the orchestra was a large floor-to-ce:ling backdrop where one side was devoted to an evening Chinese pagoda scene and the other to Indian motifs. Three tall gilt picture frames stood in front of the dais and from time to time these contained young girls in Japanese kimonos. A fearsome dragon painted emerald green wound about the wall at one end of the floor. From his mouth issued painted clouds of fire and smoke. Japanese screens trimmed with blossom covered parts of other walls and this decor was repeated outside the ballroom. Copies of domes from Eastern mosques helped to make an impressive entrance in the foyer. Costumes For this occasion guests had taken considerable time over the preparation of their costumes. One or two wore authentic saris or the cheong sams they had brought back with them from the East. Others had made their own from many different fabrics. Dancers looked admiringly at the woman who wore a headdress of fruit arranged to tower in a high arch above her head. Green grapes, mandarins, a banana and cherries were all grouped in this attractive display.

Many Chinese costumes were worn by the men. who. in many instances, had paid as much attention to their attire as had the women.

The modern trend for short hair posed a problem to those in Japanese fancy dress. To match ceremonial kimonos one or two had wigs. There was

one of natural hair that was trimmed with tiny paper umbrellas in many different pastel shades. An outstanding feature of the evening’s entertainment was the arrival of an “Indian prince” on the back of a grey cloth elephant. He was surrounded by six harem girls in lame bikinis draped with nylon tulle. The prince’s costume was lavish in the ex-treme-made of dark cream satin and gold lame with a coat richly embroidered with diamante and coloured stones.

Skiffle Group A group of small boys from Marylands assembled their skiffle group on stage during the dinner and played for some of the dances. This was a most successful item and their choice of music was appropriate to the occasion. The young entertainers all wore splendid turbans of vivid chiffon trimmed with glittering jewellery above the forehead.

Indonesian students from Lincoln College entertained with a candle dance.

The evening began with cocktails and continued with dine and dance with the orchestra playing between courses.

The official table had a big arrangement of fruit and, flowers set on a ruby red cloth. It could have come from an Eastern banquet scene. Official Party

Official guests included the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. A. Douglas) and Mrs Douglas; Brother Matthew and Brother Thaddeus, from Marylands; Mr V. A Wiseman and Mrs Wiseman (of the Black and White Committee); Mr E. W. Campbell with Mrs Campbell (also of the committee); Mr and Mrs George Burns; and the following members of the Auxiliary of St. John of God, Mrs H. O’Reilly with Mr O’Reilly; Mrs J. Amos; Mrs R. L. Sparrow with Mr Sparrow. The guests were received by Mr and Mrs Wiseman, Mr and Mrs O’Reilly, and Mr and Mrs Sparrow. Mesdames Wiseman and Campbell were joint hostesses for the evening. Members of the Auxiliary committee who helped with the organising of the ball were Mesdames Sparrow, A. J. Brownlee. T, Darby, Amos, P. Hanrahan and L. Daly.