Floodlight Tattoo Spectacular

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31640, 28 March 1968, Page 12

Floodlight Tattoo Spectacular

Nothing quite like the floodlight tattoo of the Pan Pacific Arts Festival has been seen before in Christchurch.»The Band of the Fiji Military Forces alone made it worth while with its three markedly-different appearances last evening.

Scarlet tunics, white stilus, and shining silver instruments against green grass, ah under brilliant floodlighting, made this the promised “spectacular.”

The intimacy of the arena at English Park was ideal, giving a good view all round and an instant feeling of rapport with the performers. But the programme also included massed pipe bands, marching girls, and wood chopping and mixed such music as “Marching Bossa Nova” and Tchaikovsky's “1812 Overture ”

The evening’s entertainment was easy to look at and to listen to. A crowd of 1400 filled the stands but there was plenty of room on the embankment and the organisers expect more patrons this evening and tomorrow.

The Fiji band lived up to all expectations for its first major performance in Christchurch. The members displayed exceedingly swift drill and a big range of movements in quickstep, slow march, and a shuffle' somewhere in between. It manouvred to classic brass music, jazz, and while the members sang native songs with ensemble accompaniment.

The second time out, the band members, in colourful native costume, gave a Fijian fan dance representing a duel between gods personified as roosters, a sitting action song commemorating valiant deeds of the past, and a most impressive spear dance based on birds and animals. All were expertly done to the rhythm of pounding drums and native chants.

Between these appearances the crowd had seen massed, 10 pipe bands—more than 150 men—displays by the Scottish Society of New Zealand Pipe Band, highland band staff flourishing by Drum Major G. Steele, and baton twirling by the Canterbury All Stars Drum Majorettes. The Canterbury Axemen’s Association fielded 10 champions who performed three chops well in the first experience under floodlights for most of them. The New Zealand Army Band played ‘1812” musically, but the performance was marred by both echo and intrusion of the sound system. Nothing, however, spoiled the closing thunder flashes which easily equalled cannon. The Christchurch Garrison Band had no troubles with its bracket.

The Avonaires marching girls gave a polished display Then the Fijians came on to close the evening with rapid-

fire marching, a hopeful “By the Light of the Silvery Moon,” which had the stands humming, and “The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended,” overlaying the hymn with “Last Post” while the flag was lowered.

It was a good evening out, the crowd loved it, and did not need the announcer’s continued enjoinder: “Come along, ladies and gentlemen, let’s give them a big hand.”