THE SAVOY CABARET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19283, 22 September 1924, Page 10

THE SAVOY CABARET.

Perhaps it is the very simpliciity of the present-day stylo of dancing that has made this pastime more popular during recent years than it has ever been before, hut whatever the reason there is no doubt that th fox trot, the one step, and the modern waltz have infected the generation with a healthy enthusiasm for what must, in snite of the vindictive comments of Mrs Or.undy, hfs regarded as a wholesome exercise. When one considers that this town possesses an institution like the Savoy Cabarot--fot surely those who have seen the beautiful Tudor Hall will admit that it is an institution of which any city might he proud—it is hardly to be wondered at that the claim that it is the finest hall of its kind in New Zealand, if not in Australasia, has never boon disputed, home have said that this cabaret is 20 years before its time, but this should not bo the case. The modern style of dancing, although easier to acquire and less exerting, is nevertheless exhilarating, and possesses that rhythmic quality which conveys a subtle appeal and which constitutes all that is poetic in movement. Of course, a dance cannot be a success unless there is good music, and in this direction the Savoy Cabaret Scores one of its biggest successes, for the orchestra has been selected with care and discrimination, so that each performer is a master of bis or her instrument. Modern dance music has also been criticised, hut if there is anything that is calculated to contribute in any way towards ' the teaching of dancing it is a bright orchestra. Its exuberance is infectious, and must find expression in dance. Almost as important ns the music is the lighting, which, unless done properly, can spoil an evening quite as easily as a bad orchestra, but this also is a feature that has been studied thoroughly. Those 'who have gone to the hall in the day time for meals have seen the beautiful electric lights, shaped like candles, and it requires no strong imagination to picture the mellow effects at nijdot time. It takes a night time visit, however, to gain an idea of the beautiful spotlight effects, which change the colours of dresses and alter every-day objects into all sorts of fantastic and bizarre shapes; Usually Mr Barling presents a surprise turn which takes an original form that cannot fail to please, and it is these

small entertainments—a fancy dance duo, or an oriental entertainment by a troupe of girls in Eastern garb—which serve to exemplify the thoroughness with which everything is done. Saturday night’s entertainment was quite as successful as any of the previous ones, and those present enjoyed themselves thoroughly.