"UNDER FOUR QUEENS"

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 183, 30 April 1940, Page 4

"UNDER FOUR QUEENS"

Y.W.C.A. Pageant Of 100 Years

Effective tableaux, interspersed with songs and dances, were a pleasing feature of the pageant “Under Four Queens,” presented by the Welliugton Y.W.C.A. in the Technical College ball last night. The entertainment, in which 300 performers took part, described the changes that have taken place in the lives of women and girls during the past 100 years. The pageant covered the reigns of four English Queens, Victoria, Alexandra, Alary and our present Queen. Elizabeth. The performance opened with a dance, “Awakening,” symbolizing youth as it becomes aware of the world around it. In the first and second acts there were scenes in which the contrast between the girl queen and the queen of the diamond jubilee were vividly portrayed. As an example of the stirring life and epoch-making changes of Victoria’s days Florence Nightingale was seen among the sick and wounded of the Crimea. Another group included varying types of Victorian girls, among whom were nurses, young women of society, fishergirls and girls from factories. Their costumes, true to their times, looked quaint in the light of the present day. The episodes of Victoria’s reign concluded with an excellent display of Victorian drill and hoop drill, and an entertaining parade of Victorian swimming costumes.

With Alexandra as Queen, the growing unity of the world was emphasized by the characteristic folk donees and songs of many nations, which, were stirring in the colour of the national costumes and frocks as well as iu the aetiou. Through the generosity of Wellington manufacturing firms the fourth act took the form of a marching display by girls employed by these houses. In their bright costumes they typified the important part played by girls and women in industrial life today. Typical of the vitality and fitness of modern girls were the rhythmic Danish exercises and the grace of the modern dance which opened the fifth act. The next presentation was a children's relay, followed by a scene from the girl citizens’ club night. 'The symbolic tire ceremonial ended the fifth act, in which the girls of many lauds, wearing their national costumes, brought their country’s gifts to the lire of nations. The pageant concluded with an effective finale. Gathered on the stage, wearing their bright costumes, the performers sang the melody, “Lo, Hero Is Fclawshippe.” Airs, A. D. Priestley was responsible for the production of the performance. The costumes were made by Aladame Finlayson. Aladame Gizette Tagliclit was responsible for training the girls in modern dances, and Aliss Helen Alacdonald for drill and folkdances. The music was in the hands of Aliss Eudora Henry and her orchestra.