1944 EXTRAVAGANZA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 188, 8 May 1944, Page 3

1944 EXTRAVAGANZA

Students In “Zealous Zombies”

Once a year (lie students of Viclorin College make merry and oft-times ribald sport of al. least one of the four freedoms in relieving their bursting bosoms of sentiments which have tickled or intrigued them as Ihe events of the year pass before the college doors. 'This year they were pleased to call their riotous pleasantry “Zealous Zombies.” wliii-li attracted a packed audience to the Opera Mouse ou Saturday night. This extravaganza, described in the programme, as “a political perversion in three paroxysms (and it was all that), was written and produced by Ronald L. Meek, iu whom the gift of words and ideas is far from lacking. Au amusing feature of the entertainment. was lhe confusing manner in which the author gets the year 3000 A.IJ. mixed Up with the politics '.of the present day. To do that lie buries most of Um politicians—-Sidi Ben Olland, t he Artful Doidger, Jounalio, the Bare Bodkin, and others, in the cemetery of IV nydownunder; then calls upon Herr Scut Iler, a Ilitleresque magician, to raise Hie spirits of the departed and endow them with life sullieient to carry, on their machinations against the political powers that be, then presided over by Dr. Razor. To add to tlie jitixy confusion a brigbtlylabelled “Mare’s Nest” is found accommodating the fiery equines, Aplop and Mistlelon. rivals for Hie mnyoralty (this is a slight slip in dates). These mares, strongly political though they, protest otherwise, ally themselves with Hie Zombies, who, tired of their many fail tires, determine to seek inspiration in the laud of Kremlin, where they en u counter a vigorous protptype of “Honest Joe,” who will have none of them. Returning to Waydowunder Hie distraught. Zombies determine on a campaign of disunity. They attempt to distract the min. ers front their work by arranging to send a phalanx of biondies underground, but .the Hon. Paddy Begg arrives-on the scene, and, raising his hat many times, induces the fair maidens to go to town with him and have a good time, to which proposal they joyously accede, and so on until a (Jommunist hypnotises the Zombies and induces them to return tv their graves. With the aid of weird costumes, playful lighting, and queer “Noises off,” Hie fun proceeds vivaciously, enough, thunks to clever lyrics and pointed dialogue (in places frankly vulgar), even if the acting is not in the purest West Knd manner. Dennis Hartley exhibited poise and subtlety as the plot-hatching Sidi Ben OJlnnd; Jomutlie (who publishes a “weekly”) was noisily mouthed by G. IT. Datson; John Ziman displayed a plump nude figure as the Bare. Bodkin, whilst K. T. Fowler as the Gravedigger showed admirable points as a character actor. That, too. might he said of Gib Bogle, who was Scrimgeorella (a Jade), puts new heart into the Zombies. Others entrusted with parts were E. M. Benge as Aristophanes, David Hempleman as Henry VIII, Murray Todd as. Hollo, Marie Marshal as Kitty from Cairo, and Stan Campbell a particularly full-throated . and hearty Minx of the Kremlin. The skit ou the city council was good fun, until it ended with a plague of rats. In this interlude Crs. Tight. Cluekie, Tbievcwi’ight. and Phlox-Gillflower took part. With the aid of several popular modern ditties and a liberal helping from the Gilbert-Sulivan scores, the music was. kept to a tuneful standard. Possibly if the number of verses were cut down here and there, aud the ensemble diverted from the static a little more, the show might acquire an accession of that desideratum of such extravaganzas, snappiness. Tho orchestra, under C. I». Henderson, -was an invaluable aid to general effect. The Cappieade, “Zealous Zombies/ will be played tonight and on Tuesday and "Wednesday nights.