“EYES RIGHT.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20811, 2 September 1929, Page 14

“EYES RIGHT.”

A VARIED ENTERTAINMENT. ■ It cannot be dehied that those engaged in the production of “ Eyes Right,” the first presentation of which was given'in His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night, left scarcely any avenue of entertainment unexplored. Miscellaneous entertainments arc fairly plentiful in Dunedin, but it. seemed as if the promoters of “ Eyes Right ” bad determined that nothing that would win admiration or induce merriment should be omitted. To cover such an area of stage work meant an enormous amount of trouble, and necessitated a lengthy programme, and it was evident from the manner in which the 'various attractions- were presented that < neither trouble, nor indeed expense in many cases had been spared. The entertainment was given under the direction of Mr C. W. Postgate, physical instructor of ttie Y.M.C.A., and was for the benefit of the association. .The programme claimed for the entertainment the descriptive title of “ a ‘ judicious blending of physical beauty, witli beautiful physique,” and the claim proved to be well justified. Those engaged in the production of “ Eyes Right ” were billed as 300 in number, and both sexes were strongly represented. Fairly frequently as many as 50 young ladies of great personal attractions were seen on the stage at a time, and in the case of pyramidal and gymnastic work a large number of men—mostly youthful—took part. A very strong feature of the evening’s performance was the spectacular element. In most instances the costumes, which were all, or very nearly all, of Eastern character, looked rich and luxurious, and the young ladies whom they adorned got very close to identifying themselves with the langour of the women of the East. From a spectacular point of view, “ Eyes Right ” was decidedly good, some of the groupings being very artistic and striking, lx has to be admitted that one or two of the opening contributions were marred through the movements about the stage, and the swing of the body of all those appearing, not being made unitedly; in other words, the rhythm was destroyed owing to the time'in which the music was played by the orchestra not being strictly observed by the performers as a body. The orchestra, which did a lot of hard work during a lengthy performance, was not always guiltless of committing little

errors, but generally played well and .was' a source of strength to “Eyes Right.” So far as the orchestra is concerned, a good deal of credit is due to the musical directress, Mrs Walter Haggitt, for the way it had been organised, and worked up to the point of efficiency it had attained. .“They’re Off,” which included a pony ballet, and a jockey dance by the pupils of Miss Lappan, was satisfactorily presented, more especially by the senior girls. ' Then came “ Chair Pyramids,” by the Technical- College boys, “ Light Rays " by the primary boys, parallel bars, which was very good by the senior leaders; “Eskimo Pie’’—very amusing; pyramid tableaus by High School boys; a toy ballet. “ Horse Sense ” (gymnastics), by the Junior Eight; horizontal bar work by the senior leaders; junior apparatus work by business boys; advanced ’physical exercises, by the men’s senior squad; a dumbell specialty by the Senior Ladies’ Class; “ The Eclephants Parade,” Sleigh Bells, with Mi J. Clark as .vocal soloist, and Miss Ruby Robinson as solo dauccr; ' v 9 ne Out of the Bag”—the dancer being Miss Esme Morrison—some statuary reproductions; a Grecian Ballet, with Miss Ruby Robinson ns solo dancer; and a Grand Parade Finale to complete with. Special mention should' be made of “ An Eastern Invocation,” by the Ladies’ Class, which was both attractive and graceful; “ The Crock,” a clever tumbling act by Messrs R. Oalder, L. More, and A. Warbnrtou; the “Festival Pagoda,” by fecuior Ladies, with wand work exhibition, and a vocal solo from Mr Avery Dale; and “A Minuet with Claude Duval/ in which the dancers were Miss Ruby Robinson and Mr Harold M’Auley. To the presentation of this Miss Lappan had given her consent. There was a host of ofucials, the business manager being Mr C. J. Darracott. “Eyes Right” will be again in His Majesty’s Theatre this evening and to-morrow evening, and the final/ opportunity of 'seeing it will he afforded on Wednesday night.