‘FITNESS ON PARADE’

Evening Star, Issue 23093, 20 October 1938, Page 22

‘FITNESS ON PARADE’

Y.M.C.A. DISPLAY A STRIKING PERFORMANCE ‘ Fitness on Parade ’ was the name of this year’s gymnastic display staged by the Y.M.C.A., add, judging from the majority of the items which comprised the programme, it was a well-merited one. The performance was given in His Majesty’s Theatre, which was well filled by an appreciative audience. The performers were the members of the various gymastic classes connected with the association, and all entered into the spirit of the thing, even the children of tender years playing their share and incidentally providing a good deal of amusement for the audience. The first item was entitled ‘ An Outlet for Surplus Energy,’ and was given by the boys of the Saturday and Monday classes. Though these were only lads their display of vaulting and rope climbing was a tribute to their instructor (Mr C. W. Postgate). ‘Red and White Crackers ’ was a display of dumbbell work by the Saturday girls, and ‘ A Juvenile Daily Dozen ’ by the Saturday boys showed some of the physical drill carried out by this class. ‘ Parade of Provincial Basketeers,’ by the ladies’ class, was a colourful contribution to the programme, in which the squad showed evidence of sympathetic training in a rhythmical number in which the use of basketballs played an important part. The contribution of the secondary school boys, ‘ Horse Sense,’ admirably displayed various methods, of vaulting over the “ horse.” Here, again, the hand of the instructor was visible. In contrast to the item presented by the Saturday boys, the contribution of the men’s squad entitled < A New Daily Dozen,’ showed physical drill of a more advanced nature. ‘ Blossom Time ’ was a charming scena presented by the pupils of Miss Bertha Salmond. This provided variation from the gymnastic displays, and the dancing of the children, as well as that of the older girls, was favourably commented on. The Monday boys then presented ‘ One Ship Means Chaos,’ a series of gymnastic tableaux. One of the outstanding items was the exhibition of work on the parallel bars given by the men’s squad. These performers gave a finished display, both in pairs and solo, and one in particular who gave a 1‘ slow motion ” performance showed evidence of a high degree of muscle co-ordina-tion apd strength. ‘ Grenadiers on Parade ’ was a display of wand drill by the ladies’ class, colour being added to the performance by the singing of the song of that title by Mr Arthur Macdonald. . ’ The senior ladies showed what could be done on the horizontal bar, and gave an exceptionally high-class performance. Another striking scena was ‘•ln Old Vienna,’ by the ladies’ class. In this item the participants were attired in old-time costume, and went through the stately figures of the minuet, providing one of the most successful numbers. Master Alan Cropley proved himself no mean tap dancer, in spite of his. diminutive stature and lack of years, aild. carried his contribution to the' programme through very well. In ‘ Almost Hard Work ’ the men’s squad showed what could be done in the way of wiehUntr Mb steel bars, and another contribution by the ladies’ class, entitled ‘ It’s Done With a Swing,’ was a display of eurythmics which was performed with excellent timing and synchronisation. ‘ Classics in Alabaster ’ showed Messrs Al Warburton, W. Watson, and L. Fern in a number of statuesque poses of a striking nature. A display carried out in complete darkness by the ladies was club swinging with electricallylighted clubs. This proved an unusual item, the whirling coloured lights showing up particularly well in the gloom. • Fitness on Parade ’ was the final presentation, and in this all the performers took the stage, making a kaleidoscopic scene of animation. A number of selections were given by the members of Brooks’s Piano-accordion Band, and the incidental music was directed by Mrs Walter Haggitt.