QUEEN CARNIVAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24401, 12 September 1940, Page 8

QUEEN CARNIVAL

REVUE IN HIS MAJESTY'S INTRODUCTION OF CANDIDATES AN ENTHUSIASTIC AUDIENCE His Majesty’s Theatre was packed to the doors last night, when the three candidates in the queen carnival made their bow before the footlights in the campaign which has for its object the raising of £IOO.OOO to be devoted exclusively to the needs of soldiers sailors, and airmen from the province of Otago on their return from active service. The occasion was a brilliantly staged "Introductory Revue,” in which colourful pageantry was foiiified ‘by vigorous full-winded martial music from two bands, and a programme of entertainment which was received with the greatest enthusiasm by the large audience. All three candidates, supported by escorts representative of the services sponsoring them, and also by feminine attendants, were presented lo the audience, briefly and appropriately. by Miss Bessie Thomson in her capacity as matron of honour, and each received an ovation. Later in the evening each contributed to the entertainment and succeeded still further in winning the goodwill and attention of the public.

The financial outcome of the effort was entirely satisfactory, and the manner in which the public responded comprised the first indication that Dunedin is not apathetic to a cause which is deserving of the fullest support. The queen carnival and Hs objects were warmly commended to the audience by the Mayor (Mr A. H Allen) in a brief opening address m which he stressed the fact that all the proceeds derived from the carnival would be used entirely for the benefit of servicemen, or women, in all branches of the forces, on their return to civil life. At the end of the evening he again emphasised the essential and meritorious character of the campaign and expressed the appreciation of the citizens and the Patriotic Council lo those who had been responsible for the spectacular opening of the appeal, which will last for eignt weeks That the objective would be reached, and probably passed, he had no doubt, and he concluded with an urgent plea for active and practical assistance on the part of everybody in the community. The first Hem on the programme, following the New Zealand National Anthem and the Mayoral address, was a military tableau, in which the ai'my queen candidate (Miss Airini Grennell) led an effectively elaborate Mafin farewell lo a troopship outside the Wellington Heads on May 2. The stage setting was admirable and the melody moving. Mr Barend Harris contributed suitable vocal numbers also. The navy candidate (Miss Jessie McLennan) followed, drawn on to the stage in a car by members of the RNV.R., accompanied by ladies in waiting, and greeted by a naval guard of honour, which included two youthful hornpipe dancers, Misses Nancy and Norma Stewart, and by appropriate music. Bandsman lan Bassett played “The Rose of No Man’s Land on the cornet, . with a background of Red Cross nurses. . Miss Mary Pratt (the Air Force candidate) completed the trio, and as she made her entrance the silver of an R.A.F. fuselage was suspended above the stage over a strong Air Force escort, and a large retinue of charming young women, representative ot many of the country districts which Miss Pratt represents. . The presentation followed, taking the form of an impressive tableau which filled the entire stage. The incidental music was supplied off-stage by the Kaikorai ■ Band, under the direction of Mr R Keevers. and included arrangements by Mr Alfred Pettitt of such numbers as ** Maori Battalion Song, •• Sens of the Sea,” and “ Sussex by the Sea ” all of which were also rendered vocally, still off-stage, by the Dunedin Male Choir. A trumpet fanfare arranged' by Mr A. E. Bidgood was also a feature. The Dunedin Orphans Club’s Orchestra, under th baton oi Mr James Clark, gave selections, including marimba solos by Mr Walter Sinton. and the Gaslight Quartet contributed items. The second hah oi the programme was made up of drawing room musical items, all the queen candidates taking part. Miss McLennan recited Ye Mariners of England," Miss Grennell sang “ Roses of Picardy ’ and Miss Pratt received ai ovation for her rendering of “ Cam Ye by Athol ’ and “ There’ll Always Be an England. ’ Other items were Miss Dora Drake’s ‘ Indian Love Cal; ” and “ Love Will Find a Way.” Mi R. J. Laurenson’s “ Volga Boatman ’’ and “ Three in a Boat” all of which were enthusiastically received. Mr R. Wilson Brown’s “ Spotlie ” and impersonations provoked prolonged applause, and Mr Arthur Macdonald, who was responsible for the stage management, captivated his audience with “The Army, the Navy and the Air Force ” and an encore number The final curtain was an ensemble. “ Rule Britannia,” well staged and spiritedly rendered by performers. band and audience. The accompanists for the evening were Mrs Ernest Drake .Mrs Arthur Macdonald and Miss Rita Holmes. The proceedings closed with (he National Anthem.