CAPPING CONCERT

Evening Star, Issue 21722, 17 May 1934, Page 4

CAPPING CONCERT

STUDENTS ON THE STAGE MANY ENTERTAINING ITEMS About this year's capping carnival concert there are many features which definitely place it on a higher level of merit than its immediate predecessors. For one thing, the student actors have not been so ambitions as regards staging many sketches of the longer type, the result being that the programme was not so unwieldy as usual. In a word, quality was not sacrificed for quantity. The producing was excellent, and tire acting and singing of a creditable order. The premiere performance at His Majesty’s Theatre lastnight was warmly appreciated by a full house, and it is certain that satisfactory attendance will be maintained till the end of the season. One could not help but be impressed by the selections ami accompaniments played by the • orchestra under the baton of Mr T. Maunsell. At all times the instrumentalists carried out their duties in a musician)}’ manner, and their offerings succeeded admirably in filling in the gaps necessitated by the fairly frequent changing of scenes. The usual student choruses, as well as a new and catchy number to the tune of ‘ There Is a Tavern In the Town,’ were given with characteristic undergraduate verve, the fancy costumes, of course, adding much brightness and gaiety to the assembly, ; The vaudeville part of the entertainment was ushered in with a most effective ballet in which the clever dancing of two men was later augmented by the appearance of a whole troupe. For mere.males the rhythmic gyrations executed were surprisingly well polished and thoroughly deserved the warm acclamation of the audience. A burlesque wrestling bout between .Count Lager and Whiskers Speight created a storm of merriment, the participants doing as much apparent damage to the unfortunate referee as they did to each other. The ever-popular seStet who made their first appearance in costume adhered to the stool and big hook effect which has proved so effective in tiie past few years. The voices were well up to the customary high standard, ami the topical hits were shrewdly treated. 1 Will Bernard Burn Hard?’ was the title of a particularly clever interlude, in which Mr Bernard Shaw, clad in night attire, was heard and seen being interviewed by the Prince of Darkness. The characterisations in this piece were extremely well done, and there was much humour, subtle and otherwise, in the Mephistophelian cross-examination. Finally Mr .Shaw is alleged to have told the greatest lie of all, and in a chaotic climax disappears into the flames. The item, ‘Aw, Teacher 1’ was probably never intended to be anything more than a stop-gap, but there was something quite elaborate and impressive about the farce. ‘To the Last Man.’ In this number the atmosphere of an “ out West ” trading post of the roaring gunfighting days was represented thoroughly in accordance with the popular idea of such places, and the acting of those who told the story of the sheriff’, a bandit, and the dancer, etc., was surprisingly confident for a first night performance. The second half of the programme opened with another rousing chorus, followed by the ingenious efforts of a one-man ‘' Bhe Kats ” band, who somehow or other managed to coax music mil of a weird instrument of many parts. Though doubtful in theme, ‘Beau Gostc.’ a “dramatic'’ picture from the wilds of Africa, was well .done, and the interludes, ‘ Pipped ’ and ‘ The Dear Wife.’ each contained much merit of the snappy type. Having sparred for an opening, as it were, the sextet, this time placed in a lounge setting, used their vocal powers to advantage in the good-natured catechism of certain people who have been or who still arc looming large in the public eye. An enjoyable concert was concluded by ‘ The Private Wife of Henpeque the Eighth.’ a hilarious, burlesque parody on a motion picture recently screened in Dunedin. The sketch was full of animation, colour, and riotous humour —quite a suitable number for sending the audience away “ all of a chuckle.” Considering that the students this vear have had less time than usual in which to prepare their material, the concert is a distinct credit to all concerned with its presentation. It will be repeated to-night and on Friday and Saturday nights.