A COLOURFUL PAGEANT

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 121, 27 November 1928, Page 13

A COLOURFUL PAGEANT

PARADE OF THE NATIONS An inspirational story was woven into the pageant, shown at the Wellington Show Buildings, John street, last night. Weird figures featuring I Death," " Famine," " Suspicion,'' "Fear," and "AVar," appeared and plotted together, a wild dance and horriblo laughter being part of the scene. The costuming in this was good, particularly the Medusa-like "Suspicion," with a snake headdress and grey swordlike garments. Then appeared a pageant of "Nations at Play," in which there was a procession of 54 nations, the peasant costuming being excellently carried out, with blending colours making a delightful ensemble. The British Empire was capitally and fully represented, including "Britannia," a stately figure, "England," ("Ireland," "Scotland," and "Wales," with various other costumes of modern times, such as' Girl Guides, making altogether a _most effective group. Germany was a well-repre-sented country, and France was another outstanding success, the grouping being particularly good. Then came a scena of friendly intercourse in artistic settings with a particularly charming interpolation of an old English picture, in which a dainty lady, with golden curls and a long crinolined frock of pearl grey moire, trimmed with ruchings and touches of pink, and a becoming Victorian poke bonnet, coquetted with a gentleman of tho same period, also in grey, all to an old English song by the choir. , In the war scene which followed tho vari-coloured costumes whirled round with bewildering rapidity, making a sort of kaleidescope of colour that was most effective; tho idea of the confusion and piteousness of war was well conceived; the mourning figures of the leaders of the nations being particularly well done. Then followed the arrival of "Justice," a stately figure in a rich blue classical gown, with a girdle of gold and crimson and a headdress of gold, ushered in by classic figures in toiling colours, "angels of. peace," and other effective costumes. The two pages who brought forward the explanatory banners wero delightfully dressed, and formed an important part of the show. Certainly tho League of Nations adherents in Wellington could not fail to 'appreciate the.pageant, for a fine and stirring lesson was conveyed. Musically it was delightful, for Mr. John. Bishop, with his choir of 500 voices and soventy instrumentalists, was accountable for much success. Miss Elizabeth Blake, the producer, also was to be congratulated on her conception.of the pageant, choice of colours, grouping, and training of the great body of people who took part in the impressive display.