THE CAPPING CONCERT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21386, 14 July 1931, Page 5

THE CAPPING CONCERT

A traditional prelude to the opening of the capping carnival in Dunedin is the dress rehearsal of the extravaganza, the four nights’ season of which is the piece de resistance of the student frolics for the week. His Majesty’s Theatre last evening was the scene of the usual hilarious activities that have always been associated with these rehearsals. The programme has to be presented not alone for the purpose of giving to the amateur a much-needed sense of the theatre and the limelight, but also in order to secure the approval of the large mass of students. The manner in which the farces, interludes, and vocal and other features were handled last night augurs well for the success of the concert. There is no lack of variety, and the main farces are typically absurd and wholly enjoyable, with just the right seasoning of topical allusion and daring suggestion. Nor is there a total absence of shrewd and penetrating wit, which for all the amateurish cut of the garb in which it is clothed reflects no little credit on the imaginative fertility and comedic sense of the authors of some of the skits. The staging is in every sense admirable, and both money and ingenuity have been expended in an endeavour to provide a suitable setting for the even ing’s nonsense. Student humour finds many targets for its shafts, but the thrusts are all good-natured and innoeu ous, notwithstanding their intimate character and persistence. A mild resentment of recent events in respect of the graduation ceremony finds expression every few minutes in stray remarks, pointed jests, and, sometimes, telling, satires, but that cannot be regarded as surprising, and even although those at whom the jibes are directed may possibly think themselves flattered by the constant return to themselves again and again, they have too long endured the “ slings and arrows of outrageous fortune ” in this sense to be in any way thin-skinned about the latest attacks Behind the scenes, the stage management leaves nothing to be desired, and every thing is done to assist the performers to make the fullest use of their oppor tunities before the footlights. A fullstrength orchestra has been provided, which may be expected to provide an attractive programme of music.