THE WAY THE SHOW IS PUT ON

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22697, 23 July 1948, Page 8

THE WAY THE SHOW IS PUT ON

OLYMPIC GAMES

London's vast sports centre at Worn bley—venue for the main events of the coming Olympic Games—is as famous for its Empire Pool as for its Stadium, as John Watson emphasises in describing visits that he found quite remarkable for "the way the show is put on'”. I tried to get. into the Empire Pool, London, recently; it has accommodation for 10.000 visitors, but all seats were sold out. It was the Mecca of all ice-skating enthusiasts that night, as Olympic Champion Barbara Ann Scott was appearing in a special exhibition during the intervals of the weekly ice-hockey match. The trouble with London is that there are 'oo r,£ ny people when any big star is rbuut. However, I have been to the Empire Pool on other occasions, and it is quite a sight to see the way they put on any show there. On my first visit, last year —to see the final of the British Amateur Boxing Championships—l was amazed at the wonderful s-.ructure itself; no pillars or girders block the view, and everything is organised to handle the crowd without the slightest confusion or fuss. Drinking Facilities Never Abused My companion suggested a drink before we took our seats, and, at a comfortable bar, one of many located all round (he arena under the tiers of seats, we had a beer. Of course, this is tile general tiling in this country at all sporting arenas, or at the theatres, and I must say it is very pleasant, and never abused. When I took my seat at the ringside. I was surprised to see one section overlooking the arena floor —that is. up on the first tier of seats—-filled with diners, men and women in evening dress who were watching the events while they enjoyed a first-class meal (judged, that is. by London austerity standards). Smartly dressed waitresses and waiters in white ties -attended to the needs of the inner man, arid the tables were all nicely decorated with flowers. With your dinner you can have anything to drink you want. lcc-Sweeping Ceremonial At the Empire Pool I was very impressed by the way the show is put on. During the intervals there are always first-rate skating exhibitions, but, first of all, the ice must be swept. At Wembley, this is a ceremonial in itself. A very good band, all smartly dressed, starts playing, and then out march the sweepers with military precision. They are dressed in white sweaters and black trousers with gold stripes, and divide into two groups, one group going up one side and the other up the opposite side, and, in time to the music they begin sweeping the ice. Each man pushes his brush in time with the m..u next to him. and they also keep in perfect step. When the two groups meet at the end of the pool, they move in one formation down the centre. This drill is repeated, until the whole 01 , rink is swept, and it is so well done that it always draws a big round of applause.

This is just a typical example of the first-class showmanship and imagination at all of the Wembley presentations. With their experience in putting on big shows every night of the week, and on Saturday afternoons, it is safe to say that Hie Olympic Games will be staged with remarkable efficiency and showmanship of the best order.