Repertory Revue Is Bright Show

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 142, 17 June 1941, Page 6

Repertory Revue Is Bright Show

ATTRACTIVE GIRLS IN NON-STOP ENTERTAINMENT Following on their winning successes at Ohakea and Foxton the Repertory Revue company last night delighted a large audience at the Empire Hall with really sparkling entertainment. With 30 versatile young members of the society associated in this non-stop variety show it was evident that a vast amount of organisation had gone to make the production and congratulations are due to Miss Babette Rodgers on this successful undertaking as a war effort. The costuming was a feature and was colourful and artistic with many changes and this applied to the snappy ballet, comprising Margaret Pegden, Nancy Muir, Annette Major, Joyce Duffy and Doris Campbell, which made frequent appearances in refreshingly bright costumes to suit each occasion. The scene for the first half of the programme was set in a South American saloon where cowboys and their girls foregathered, and following the opening chorus l , ‘Hi, Yo, Silver,” and dashing ballet, warbled tuneful ditties and moved around, particularly in “El Rancho Grande,” with frequent interludes to introduce popular soloists, comedy numbers and. sketches. Pamela Buchanan was soloist in chief and fcer sweet voice was heard to advantage in “Rio Rita,” with Judith Copeland. Pat Malcolm and chorus, “Eeneath Your Silken Shawl” and chorus, also “Rosita,” her lovely 7 Spanish frock of cream spotted net and lace mantilla with scarlet roso being most effective. A popular offering was “Danse Appassionata” by two clever dancers in Margarqt Pegden and Annette Major. Daphne Pegden, Elaine Hall and Ruth Fatherwood were priceless as ‘Dandelion, Daisy and Daffodil, 0 up from the farm, and Joyce Carruthers recalled the

“Naughty Nineties 0 in “La Belle Parisienne 0 and “Ta-ra-ra-boom-de-ay.° Mavis Mortland had the laugh of the audience in an amusing sketch. “The Old Grey Mare” scored the hit of the evening and full chorus and ballet came together to proclaim “They Were All Pals Together. 0 Maynio and Shirley Reid, Joan Ivenning and Mavis Mortland kept the audience guessing in “The Old and the New.°

The second half was a lively cabaret scene introduced by “Roll Out the Barrel 0 by the company in conventional evening attire. Pamela Buchanan, an arresting figure in white broderie anglaise with cherry flounce and strappings of stiffened organdie, sang two popular numbers, “At tho Balalaika 0 with chorus and later “Love Is All° with chorus and ballet. Elaine Hall was expressive at the telephone in “Sorry You’ve Been Troubled, 0 and Nancy Muir scored in a lively tap solo. Joyce Carruthers proved her ability to do a music hall turn in “My Resistance is So Low° and as Mae West. “Stay In My Arms, Cinderella” provided opportunity for clever by-play by Joan Kenning, Margaret Clift, Ena Offwood and tho chorus, with a bright interlude by tho pink ballet. A Mavis Mortland new to Palmerston North and Joyce Carruthers scored many laughs in “Cat’s Cradle.” “Oh, Johnny,” by Ena Offwood, Yvonne Gibson and Dorothy Pegden was a bright contribution and of outstanding merit was the Viennese Waltz” by Margaret Pegden. Daphne and Dorothy Pegden with Yvonne Gibson provided further coinfitly and tke lull cirrus and ballet

exhorted the audience to “Count Your Blessings and Smile,” bringing a bright show to a conclusion. The personnel of the chorus was as follows:—Marama Barker, Mary Abraham, Zoo Bendall, Ruth Moore, Nola Ciochetto, Judith Copeland, Reina Rodgers, Ruth Catherwood, Margaret Clift, Patricia Malcolm, Ena Offwood, Dorothy Pegden. Miss Buchanan, who carried the lion’s share of the solo work, was pro* sen ted with a floral token. The revue will be presented finally ibis aveui«g»