CARNIVAL REVELS

Evening Star, Issue 21721, 16 May 1934, Page 12

CARNIVAL REVELS

STUDENTS IN MERRY MOOD A COLOURFUL PROCESSION Fortunately for all concerned—particularly student revellers whose attire was of the flimsy or scanty order—the weather, for this time of the year, could hardly have been better for the annual carnival procession held in connection with the Otago University capping ceremony. As early as 11 o’clock hundreds of interested spectators found their way down to Leith street, where the chief participants in the great burlesque were preparing their vehicles in anticipation of the order to • advance into-the city streets. From then onwards there was, sufficient animation

and colour to rouse the gloomiest of persons from their breedings and foster a spirit appropriate to the occasion.. An improved standard of wit and ingenuity had been promised in support of this year’s undergraduates’ eavortings. Whether or'not this promise has been fulfilled is a difficult question to answer.- Again the . procession was marred by one or two examples of the youthful crudities which seem to bo inseparable from modern university humour. On the other hand, however, there was plenty of evidence in favour of the opinion that has been claimed; many of the mobile displays were clever in their conception and revealed the fact that, despite the concentration demanded by study, the young men of the University have kept a watchful eye on local and world happenings,- and have proved their ability successfully to present them in burlesque form. If the ■ casual remarks overheard among the crowds that thronged the streets can be accepted as a reliable assessment, the procession of 1934, with genial sunshine to support it, can be

hailed as a definite improvement on the gambollings of recent .rears. Headed by a band which played lively march airs in a creditable manner, the procession must have covered several miles of city streets before it broke up. To the accompaniment of choruses, Maori hakas, and the usual intermittent cat-calls beloved by students freed from class room and digs, the various units that took part afforded agreeable entertainment to young and old alike, and with their buffoonery brightened considerably the prosaic city lunch hour: The delight of the youngsters in the crowd was unlimited when the huge green “Lock Ness” monster, measuring fully 150 ft, crept along town, its venomous looking head reared high above everything else. Not solely because of its dimensions, this was one of the most, imposing objects on parade. The Waitangi celebrations were ■ picturesquely reviewed in 'light-hearted vein, and the antics of the wrestlers, George Porker and Harry Pathos, stimulated much merriment. One enterprising party solved a problem for

the New Zealland Legion. The Legion, it was stated, must have a shirt. It was made clear that night-shirts should be the adopted fashion. Admiral Byrd’s Antarctic vigil was cleverly represented, a letterpress including the advice: “If you knows of a better Pole go to it.” The aeronautic motif was well worked by several riders of motor cycles and bicycles, the frames of which were decorated and loaded up with gadgets calculated to give a more or less aeroplane effect. It was inevitable, of course, that the new Post Office should be the subject of attention, and a certain amount of wit mixed with something less worthy, was released as the expense of tho Empirt Art Loan picture collection. The secrets of the manufacturing industry at Hokonui were exposed in an amusing manner, it being apparent that the students responsible had gone to a good deal of trouble to make their display effective. The “ She Katz Band ” was on stage, and the future activities of dredge 222 were forecast in mirth provoking fashion. Among other features were those

which constituted thrusts at the League of Nations, Bernard Shaw, the nudists, railway advertising, and the search for beauty campaign. BRIGHT CONCERT PROMISED. To-night the students will present their concert at His Majesty’s Theatre, and it is believed that'their audiences are to be treated to a feast of the funniest farces and interludes for years. In every way the students have endeavoured to better capping by paying more attention to the concert and to the procession. Their efforts, it is said-, have not been in vain. This year’s concert is an entertainment which should please even the most blase, for every farce and interlude is a finished and well-produced item. ‘To tho Last Man ’ is a clever farce which literally has the whole theatre (“ actors ” included) laughing. The cast is small but well chosen, and every line which passes the footlights has even more meaning than is apparent in a monient. The farce, ‘ Heupeque V111.,’ is an his-

torical burlesque, and one is kept in fits of laughter as the student marrying monarch discloses the deplorable state of his digestion. He casually rids himself of his wives in manners that no 'one can witness without chuckling, with delight. Count Larger wrestles Whiskers Spate, and their efforts are equally as deceiving as the. genuine’ combat. Probably the best interlude in capping is ‘ Will Bernard Burn Hard?’ which concerns a conversation between Satan and G. B. Shaw, and displays some excellent wit. The 1934 Sextet is a splendid combination of voices, and is without doubt as good as any sextet ever presented at capping. These gentlemen are sure to please their audiences. ‘ Pippd ’ is an interlude worthy of mention, : and its conclusion is most unexpected. This year the concert should delight the public, for there is not one dull moment in the whole show. It bubbles on from one interlude to another in rapid succession, and is altogether one of the very brightest concerts yet.