UNIVERSITY REVUE

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 183, 1 May 1933, Page 7

UNIVERSITY REVUE

Successful First Night THE 1933 EXTRAVAGANZA For three hours at the Grand Opera House on Saturday evening, students of Victoria University College made merry. It was the first presentation of the 1933 capping review, the one occasion of the year at which the general public is able to sample university wit and banter at its very brightest. This years extravaganza. played before a well-filled house, is divided into three separate parts, the first being a short sketch. "The GullyTrap. ” or "News from Moscow.” a few sidelights on "This Russian Business," the second a little incursion into history, entitued “Great. Caesar” and the I bird a spectacular musical extravaganza. “Mister Galahad,” replete with choruses, ballets and other incidentals. Compared with past, student shows, this year’s review is one of exceeding merit. In “Great Caesar" is found a wealth of biting and highly-amusing allusion to topics of the day, and it maintains continually a running fire of truly bright and clever repartee. The plot, if there be

one, revolves around the troubles encoun- ' tered by one Caesar, “a notorious Euro- | nan gangster.” in his dealings with his typist, with his lieutenant, and with i Taranakus. a barbarian—chief of the Caucoci. Mr. G. C. Crossley, as the great Caesar, makes much of a difficult part, ' and he is ably supported by Miss A. V. Lambourne as the much-harassed typist. Mr. .1. Foster is Taranakus, n farmer very discontented: Mr. U. Williams. Cae- , sar’s lieutenant, and Mr. I). M. Burns, , Caesar's Jictor. Caesar’s repeated assertion that "Caesar does not steal, he converts,” having a topical bearing, was well appreciated. A gentle tilt at the supporters of the Soviet is made in “The Gully-Trap.” It depicts several faithful followers of the U.S.S.R. in their Wellington headquarters, anxiously awaiting news from home. Mr. W. J. Mount joy. jun.. as Comrade Hackcnschinidt, gives a highly-dramatie and amusing characterisation of a very fer vent revolutionary He is supported b.v Miss I’egg.v Spence-Sales as Vera, who does much to bring about a true Iliissian at mosphere. Mr. Redmond Phillips is responsible for much merriment as Louisa Loiterways (known to the police of ten suburbs as “La Brassiere") —ho gives a clever impersonation. Miss Peggy McDonald plays Mrs. Veronal, and Mr. A. 11. Scolney. Comrade O’SJoggerty. Of the story, there is little to be said, except , that news received from Kussia. *fter months of anxious waiting, brings the sketch to an unexpected and amusing con- | elusion. High Standard Reached. "Mister Galahad” (decanted in two cantos) is the big piece of the show. It is a little more connected than the usual melee of mime and mirth of student extravaganzas, and follows rather more orthodox lines In brief, it tells of the doings of a bevy of beautiful Wellington “debs.” stranded for some reason unknown in the far dislannl Peppercorn Mountains. They are met by a strange band of males known as the Quasi-Nnzis who are not long in making up to them.

The story leads to a magnificent charity ball at the Hot-point Cabaret, and a startling display of splendour. Woven about the doings of these strange people is a love story, involving one Galahad McGee, leader of the Quasi-Nnzis. and Tanagra Winkle, described as- being in pursuit of Art for Heart’s sake. It must be coneeded that "Mister Galahad” reaches a very high level in student entertainment. The scenery is wellchosen. the frocking tasteful, the dancing snappy, and the dialogue bright and witty. The principal feminine lead is taken by Miss Margery Murray, as Phoebe Buck.' a "social menace." She gives a wholly convincing performance quite up to professional standards. Miss Mifanwy Davies and Miss Zenoernte Henderson ably take the roles of Cytherea Belchington and Aphasia Twitterboys, respective nieces of Phoebe. Mr. Ulrie Williams plays exceedingly well the part of Galahad McGee, and Mr. Alfred Katz that of Peter Pennyfeather Once again Mr. Redmond Phillips shines in an impersonating role when he plays the part of. Tanagra Winkle effectively and amusingly Good Music and Dancing. The musical numbers are of an agreeably high standard Miss Davies sings very pleasingly two numbers with chorus and ballet, and Mr. Il W. Dowling, the principal male soloist, impresses with solo passages from concerted numbers.' Mr Williams, with his chorus of QuasiNazis. gives a rousing solo, while Mr. Phillips makes much of his original ditty, “Naked and Unashamed.” of which an encore was demanded. Miss Murray and Miss Henderson also q< solo work. Special mention must be made of the dancing, in particular the sparkling ballet. trained by Miss Peggy Price. Miss Price and Miss Kara Aldridge give, in addition, effective solo numbers. One feature of the show is a sextet ol very portly Rotarians who give cause for much I merriment. 1 The revue will lie presented again this evening and to-morrow evening.