"CAPPICADE, 1938"

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 107, 9 May 1938, Page 5

"CAPPICADE, 1938"

A POLITICAL POT-POURRI

The students of Victoria University College can usually be relied on t< produce something really entertaimn; in their annual extravaganza, now tra ditionally known as "Cappicade. Th , year, however, they have excellec themselves, and the result is a shov he like of which has seldom been seei n Wellington. Those who attend th< jrand Opera House tonight or or Tuesday or Wednesday can be pre jared to thoroughly enjoy themselves 'Cappicade, 1938," cannot fail to lit he frowns from the faces of the mos 'is'not' often that the voter ant ;axpayer have an opportunity to enjo. » good laugh at the expense of th< joliticians. This is their chance , jetter one may never arise. As regard, he jokes and gags introduced or opical subjects, they are more numer jus than and at least as witty as evei jefore. A number of them deal witr he proposed new students building unds for the erection of which arc he object of the show. The extravaganza starts off on tne ■ieht foot with a bright little sketct n which male and female choruses ol itudents plead with a bevy of pic uresquely hoary professors to clesisi rom banning the show as e y nl }. he capping procession. Though the :ollege damsels are dressed nore scantily than the traditional vinds of Wellington would permit, the professors are suitably impressed, anc he sketch ends in a mutual under;tanding, with even the professors jursting into a song in which they ipologise for their shortcomings. R. L Meelc is responsible for this outjurst. The music is by W. L. Austin ind the ballet arrangements by Cora y Probably the best part of the show, f it is permissible to select any one ipasm for special mention, is Adam 3aba and the Forty Leagues, written w a mystic collaboration entitled 'Seven Pillars of Wisdom." The tale s that of a political party (one of nanv years ago, of course) which vooed the people (particularly the emale section) of an ancient Persian ■itv with promises it had no intention if keeping. One of its catch-cries was 'Let's go and. organise a league. Despite the time and place, there is a •ommercial broadcasting station, at the leon shrine of which the populace worships. The main figures in the cast ire: Mr. Mess-Tin (Guy Bliss), ttie Vluezzin (Keith Hutcheson), Mr. >preadwell (Norman Morrison), and Wr. Omay-Zingrab (Jack Aimers). This sketch was produced by Doug. Edwards. „ , T. _ "Port Nick Iniquity, by John :arrad, is notable for its original vords and music by the author. As 'ar as authorship and production are •oncerned, it seems to be a one-man ihow, but it is none the less in the irst rank as a "musical mellowirammer." The lilting melody of 'Treasure Trove," sung by Paul Taylor is the well-known Brick Bradford, leserves a better fate than to be hrown on the junk-pile of past »xtravaganzas. Among the fair dam;els of Port Nick are Port Said Eve Bruce Drummond), Canoodling Kate Alan Gibson), and a band of husky 'old-diggers. As Captain Mick Ravage, leugh Drummond looks at times disloncertingly like the film edition of Bligh of the Bounty. Other characters ire One-eye Adam (Arthur Harpur) md Lofty Broomstick (Alex. Armour). The longest production is entitled 'Olympian Nights," or "The Wisdom ,f the Gods," by R. L. Meek, produced 3v Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Mountjoy, jun. t abounds with bright songs and pallets of both sexes, and is also noted "or the aerobatic performances of \riel (R. L. Hutchens) on the end of ! rope. The story concerns the doings jf Ariel and his band of hairy fairies n the kingdom of Polonia two housand years ago. Ariel has the bad ,aste to bring to life the gods of two housand years ahead, which stiangely pear the likenesses of the head men of England, Russia. Italy, Germany, and STew Zealand. His task is then to disjose of them again, and this is does in t characteristic manner. The perlonalities in this show are too lumerous to mention individually, but ;ach one plays his or her part well, ind the result is excellent. At the inclusion the audience is_left with a •eal regret that the show is over, and vith 'the impression that Vriel would have been a very handy person to have about the house.