MARIONETTE PARADE

Evening Star, Issue 23092, 19 October 1938, Page 17

MARIONETTE PARADE

TINY TOTS' FASHIONS AT THE D.I.C. It is most refreshing to find a woman striking out in an entirely new lino and making of her enterprise such a success that she is able to travel the world and give pleasure to children and

grown-ups alike, for there is a fascination about marionettes that catches everyone's fancy. As a buyer in a big departmental store in England, Miss Marie Harvey, the originator of this marionette performance, frequently staged mannequin

parades for adult fashions, but when she wished to show fashions for tiny tuts models were not available, hence she evolved the idea of this original manner of showing her styles. And so came into being, for really they appear almost lifelike, Myrua, Pansy, .italic witli the red hair, Molly, George, and Leslie, the naughty boy of the family. These charming little people are all life-sized, and they take charge of the stage at once, the humorous running commentary by AJisis Harvey adding in no small measure to the enjoyment of the performance. The show quickly caught on, and after appearances all over England, Pansy and the rest of the company set out for a world tour, chaperoned by Miss Harvey and her two assistants.

They are now spending a week in the D.1.C., Dunedin, and each day they may be Seen displaying the loveliest juvenile fashions. Myrna and Pansv appear first showing outdoor coats for summer days, Myrna waves to the children in the audience, aifd the children, so quick to respond, wave back and at once a friendly spirit is established, the chuckles and laughter being kept up all the time as the marionettes do all manner of pranks. Bathing costumes for the juveniles are next displayed, followed by charming frocks in silks and cottons for little gvls and buster suits for their small brothers. In navy pleated skirts and most attractive little jumpers, two of the marionettes show their agility on roller skates, the juveniles in the audience showing their appreciation of this act by their hearty applause. And then Leslie and Pansy go to bed, Pansy in the daintiest little nightie and Leslie in pyjamas of the most up-to-date Russian mode. A parade of nursery-rhyme characters completes the performance. Here are Little 80-Peep, Mary, Mary—she of the silver bells and cockle shells—and other people from Nursery Rhyme J/fand. All are colourful and altogether delightful, and mothers will find inspiration for frocks for fancy dress parties here. The whole performance is novel and interesting, and, apart from its entertainment value, should provide a guide for those setting out to equip their children, from the tiniest upward, for the coming season. Presented in this way, children’s fashions can he made equally interesting to the child and to the adult.