Y.M.C.A. ENTERTAINMENT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20690, 9 October 1930, Page 18

Y.M.C.A. ENTERTAINMENT.

GYMNASTICS AND DANCING. THE OPERETTA "BETTY LOU." A new form lias Leon given tliis year to the annual gymnastic display of the Auckland Y.M.C.A., which was presented in the Scots Hall last evening and will be repeated this evening. With it has been incorporated " Betty Lou," an operetta | produced by Miss Lillian Braithwaite, I dances and ballets by pupils of Miss Cecil ! Hall, and gymnastics by Y.W.C.A. girls. The result is a splendidly varied programme, entirely free from dull moments, which provides entertainment suited to all tastes. The hall was well-filled for the opening performance, which was given the warmth of reception merited by its quality. " Bcttv Lou " is the story of a girl who varied her age from " grown-up " down to ten years to meet the exigencies of an attempt to retrieve the family for- ! tunes. In the title role Miss Gladys Mc- | Aneney has the heaviest part to sustain. A pleasing degree of naturalness was achieved last evening in her characterisation of a high-spirited young lady and then of a child of tender years, but very alert mind. The operetta is rich in catchy musical numbers. In theso and in the action deserved appreciation was won by Miss Braithwaite, Miss Eileen Thompson, Mr. Norman Tibbutt and Mr. Laurie Stewart. Miss May Andrews and Mr. Kenneth Scott collaborated in eccentric humour. Features of the operetta were a special ballet of Miss Cecil Hall's pupils, and a men's chorus led by Mr. Jack do Rose. The minor parts were successfully played by Misses Doris Webb, Mona Johnston, Olga Blake and Ivy Maxwell, and Messrs. Frank Rogers, Will Fishy and Murray Thomson. The gymnastic items covered a wide rango and were a convincing exposition of the merits of this form of physical culture, as carried out in connection with the Y.M.C.A. under the direction of Mr. Frank Rogers. A display of electric club swinging by Leader If. Barker was one of the most popular items, the lights flashing and twirling in amazing patterns on the darkened stage. Other special items in the gymnastic section were an advanced balancing act by Leaders Middleton and Bawle, a graceful performance on (ho parallel bars by Y.W.C.A. girls, and exercises on the horizontal bar by a sfjiiad of Orammar School boys. Dances and ballets by pupils of Miss Cecil Hall were executed with grace and skill. Miss Peggy Holmes was the solo dancer with the ballets and also appeared in a duo with Miss Marjorie Brook. Miss Clara Seale gave an Indian dagger dance, Misses Joyce Wright and Owen Atkins appeared as the "Hollywood Oirls." and Miss Kitty Kmalll.one and Mr. Claude Hyauiason danced an "Adagio."