Musical Revue For Christchurch Soon

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30172, 2 July 1963, Page 15

Musical Revue For Christchurch Soon

The popular British musical, revue the Black and White Minstrel Show which appeared first on television and later | as a stage show, will have its South Island premiere at the Majestic Theatre on August 6. With a cast of 65 including 20 recruited and trained in Australia, this £50,000 production carries around with it 106 tons of scenery, lighting equipment and costumes—considered by far the largest amount of stage gear, to be brought to New Zealand. Although originally booked for eight weeks in Melbourne, the show played for 32. After New Zealand the show will go to Sydney before returning to Melbourne. To stage the big production at the Majestic the theatre's stage has had to be extended and relaid. The extension involves a “walkaway” around the orchestra pit into the auditorium. The relaid stage is of light plywood painted dark blue to provide better effect for the dancers' footwork.

Last year the Black and White Minstrel Show won the Golden Rose award at the Montreux Festival, Switzerland. for the best light entertainment provided on television No Blackened Faces Mr George Innes, who de? signed and stages the world premiere at the Victoria Palace, London, explained that although called a minstrel show no negroes were in it “We called it a black and white show because we didn't want to blacken the

grils’ faces. This has never been done before in a minstrel show and I thing it’s basically the secret of our success,” he said.

The show has a wardrobe group which can get a dancer-singer in and out of a costume change in 2min 15sec. Included in the show are nearly 600 costumes —the bill for these takes some £30,000 of the show’s total cost —and 342 hats. Among materials used are thousands of ostrich feathers shaded all the spectrum. Although there are plenty of solo acts the Black and White Minstrel Show has no stars in the conventionalsense. The precision-drilled company of top singers and dancers is the show’s main attraction.

Among those taking part are Bob Andrews, one of England’s most versatile and popular comedians. Playing opposite him will be the Londoner Penny Nicholls, who while in New Zealand, will be accompanied by her hus-band-manager Mr D. Harrison. the show’s property master.

Much of the show’s comedy is provided by Bob Andrews and Eddie Mendoza—who sports a big handlebar moustache. Their version of a swivelling car battling against filmed traffic through the English countryside is a highlight. Speciality acts include a juggling act, the acrobatic burlesque, and the Balcombes with their sensationalladder act.