GYMNASTIC DISPLAY

Evening Post, Volume XCIV, Issue 109, 5 November 1917, Page 3

GYMNASTIC DISPLAY

Before a very large and appreciative audience in the Grand OpeTa House on S^urday evening the pupils of the V.M.C.A. Physical Department gave an interesting and excellent display. The training of the body is of paramount importance, and Saturday's exhibition showed' fnlly to what an art gymnastics may be cultured. It was a distinctly creditable performance, there being •evident in every item that lithe freedom of movement that denotes careful training, keen concentration, and natural aptitude. There were several prominent experts in physical culture noticed in the ranks of both ladies and gentlemen's classes/ riot forgetting the lissome movements of the juveniles. A feature load been made of the dressing and lighting arrangements. The becoming colour schemes and tho excellence of the exhibition appealed to the sight and intelligence of all. There were various running and free movements by both sexes, in which the limbs showed dexterous and easy motions! . The. grand march was a pretty item, the evolutions having been arranged with an eye to spectacular beauty. Dumb-bell drill by separate classes of ladies, gentlemen, and boys, and again by mixed classes, was very well done. The silvered clubs'' oi the ladies looked well when handled by such an expert class as performed on Saturday night, and again this clever bevy of culture exponents were completely successful in the electric clubs item. In this the ladies swung gailycoloured electric globes, and the effect m .the darkened theatre was 'bizarre ami pretty in the extreme. The lantern march was also well done by the lady members, the marching, inter-marching, and changing movements being particularly effective. An exhibition of fancy fencing by ladies and men was a feature of tho performance, and included some neat, clean work. The girls' class was seen in skipping, ball-swinging, and, with the boys, a mixed exposition of wands and free movements. In these, as in all the other items, there was that finish of the well-trained. One of the most successful it-eras by the ladies was the brass rod exercise, in which there was supple manipulation, and perfect rhythm. Hand-balancing feats and parallel bar work by tho men was beautifully done. The juvenile members also displayed prowess ■ and talent. The classical poses of Messrs. M. Tracey .and F. W. Kawlinson were admirably 'executed, and showed tha fine muscular development of both. Mr. Bawlmson's specjal exhibition of muscle power was an outstanding item. He can boast rippling muscles in chest and back, andi on all his limbs. Later, with Miss D. Harrison and Messrs. J. Whittaker and S. Waters, Mr. Rawlinson gave a jujitsu display, in which the lady and her partners showed several points in selfdefence and some clever methods of throwing. : The grand finale included many cleverly postured pyramids and a tout ensemble of clever pattern. An orchestra, under Mrs. Tracey, accompanied the items, and a song and dance diversion by Miss Q. M'lneny and Mr. Geo. reek was responsible for laughter and! applause. Mr. M. Tracey, physical director, is to be complimented on t^e success of the display, and on the high state of efficiency to -which he has brought his admirable training methods