EXCELLENT DISPLAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 11, 13 July 1939, Page 18

EXCELLENT DISPLAY

PHYSICAL FITNESS FESTIVAL

Wellington GIRLS' COLLEGE

Taking. as,, a standard the display of physical well-being as demonstrated by pupils of Wellington Girls' College^ in the Town Hall; last night it would seem that there is no danger of the young womanhoody of Wellington, at least, dropping to ;the C 3 class. Picked girls of the college took part in an "Olympian Festival" which was presented "to a; crowded audience by means. of' a^ demoQStration lvX)f■ rhythmicTpi^oYerhents, dancing, ;4rill, and marching linked by 'a classic-^heme.

s The story .was simple. The country of Garthenia held ait Olympiad every four years at which iall branches of physical' training were displayed. The Princess Niobe (played by Joy Asquith), daughter of King Evandfer (Shirley Tipling), ,was cleeply interested'in the physical; welfare of her country, and to arouse the waning enthusiasm of her people invited representatives of other nations to demonstrate their own characteristic methods of training at the ■ Olympiad. A new scheme of physical culture embodying the best methods of all systems was evolved for her own covmtry, an Englsih team^remammg inCarthehia to assist Niobe in her task. The Princess, wearing a shimmering, robe of pearl pink satin bordered with a key.pattern in ice-blue and having graceful shoulder drakes of blue georgete, propounded, her idea to the King, who made a regal entrance in a gold tunic- With a cloak of Royal purple, a matching sandals. Rhythmic drill by pupils of Forms 4, representing Denmark,' opened the display. Knee-length frocks of duckegg blue with pleated skirts edged with a henna band, were worn and contrasted with the trim navy shorts and white blouses worn by the third, form girls in the subsequent scene in which marching combining Swedish exercises, was efficiently performed. Demonstrating the ideas of English girls that dancing was was necessary, fourth formers, with Joyce Knighton of Form 6 as soloist, danced very gracefully in. short white tunic garlanded with pink roses. A ballet frock of layers and layers of Avhite tulle and a matching satin bodice was. worn by the soloist, who also appeared in a duo with Joy Asquith in: the evening. One of the most effective rhythmic items incorporating Grecian movements, was demonstrated by fourth formsr in georgette frocks in rainbow colours, and another "Supplication," danced vin. striking floor-length; tunics of crimson with purple design and silver lacings earned .the ready; appre-ciation-of the audience. Greek friezes and exercises in expression by girls of Fdrnis 5 and 4, who were wearing filmy pale green tunics were very lovely, arm and hand movements being particularly expressive.

Vigorous national dances in costume were performed with a verve and grace which is characteristic 'of the average schoolgirl, the Russian team in particular entering into the spirit of its dance with an enthusiasm hardly equalled by anything else.-in the display. Beautiful frocks were worn by the Danish dancers and the Spanish contribution to the festival also incorporated the national love of colour and rhythm. Carthenian' girls in bright 'red'"tunics" and gold criss-crossed ribbons performed .rhythmic cymbal drill with elan, and Niobe's ladies in their gold robes .practised their ball exercises with dignity and rhythm.

Drill -and. marching items were presented by the girls in the uniform shorts and blouses and were remarkable for their precision and excellent timing. ; An innovation, in the form of "competitive games on the stage by representatives of the yarious "houses" in the school, received enthusiastic applause .which was heightened", by routine block marching by the teams led by their captains carrying embroidered banners through the hall itself. Cecil House, which wo.n the display, was captained by Judith White.

Mrs. L. D. Taylor, physical training instructress of the college, arranged and produced the festival, and was presented with tributes of appreciation by pupils of the school during the grand finale whfch marked the end of a successful production. The jchool orchestra" was led by Miss Eudora Henry and contributed to a considerable extent to the smooth running of the display..

The four children of their Excellencies, Viscount.and Viscountess Galway, attended the festival and were received and entertained by several of the senior pupils. Miss North, headmistress of the. college, was present with the principals -of some of . the senior secondary schools, members of the Board of Governors-and the Parents' Association. Several private schools were also represented.