CAPPING CONCERT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24604, 12 May 1941, Page 7

CAPPING CONCERT

DIVERTING ENTERTAINMENT STUDENTS AT THEIR BEST Capping concerts have long been popular with the Dunedin public for their originality, refreshing informality and for the enthusiasm of the students taking part. This years entertainment, which was- presented for the first time in His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night, possesses all three characteristics in generous measure, but with the difference that the standard of performance generally has reached a higher mark than for many years past. It is a light-hearted blending of Gilbert and Sullivan (almost without apologies), smart revue, and gay spontaneity of student burlesque in which female impersonations by very masculine-look-ing players and delightful, unrehearsed incidents figure prominently. In its farces its music, its ballets, and its presentation, the 1941 Capping Concert provides a happy diversion for times like the present. Moreover, it is free of anything that might offend even the most sensitive susceptibilities. The greater part of the second portion of the lengthy programme is devoted to "The Pirates of Finance," which is the outstanding feature of the concert. Described modestly by the students as a farce, this modern, New Zealand version of the popular Savoy opera, is a clever and diverting piece of entertainment, with a brilliantlywritten script that is rich in topicality and satire. Its characters are easily perceived to be caricatures of prominent figures in New Zealand politics, and it tells of the attempt of the leader of " Democratic Labour" to leave the pirate band. The pirates are. of course, at variance with "Major Hoax," of the National Fraternity until they eventually find that they are all worshippers on the "altar of self-remun-eration " and capitalists alt. Although the singing of one or two of the principals is somewhat weak, the choruses are excellent and the ballets by the "Daughters of Big Business" are extremely effective, both in the dancing and the costuming. The staging, too, is excellent. The Government's health scheme, the 8.M.A., Chinese herbalists, and quack medicines form the basis of the other farce. "The Stealth Scheme," which is staged with oriental splendour in the headquarters of a bogus wizard. The plot centres around the attempts of the "Hon Pete Blazer," "Hon. Mr Northmere," and the " Hon Mr Gnasch ' to outwit the B.M.A. by enlisting the services of the wizard and his fellow herbalists. To their consternation, they find that they have been defeated by two spies of the doctors, who reveal themselves as well-known members of the profession in Dunedin. The diologue and action give the players plenty .of scope to emphasise the foibles of prominent politicians and the amazing curative claims of patent medicines. The characters are well presented, especially the wizard with his change of voice "and sayings of Confucius. Good though the farces are. they do not overshadow in the least the shorter items. One of the outstanding acts of the concert is that provided by a student magician, who performs several tricks with professional skill. It forms a most unusual item for a capping concert. The customary sextet is missing from the concert, but its place has been taken by a quartet. The reduction in the number of singers has resulted in a higher standard of singing. Their two appearances are all too short, for their verses are topical and tuneful and their voices excellent Their numbers are enhanced by a competent pianist. The ballets are surprisingly effective for male students. The nursery ballet is attractively staged and the dancing is carried out with just a sufficient lack of precision to make it diverting, while the costumes are amusing in themselves The second appearance of the ballet is even more entertaining, for it apes very cleverly the Russian ballet, complete with a sturdily built ballerina. The figures of the dancing—and of the dancers, too—are most amusing, although the work itself shows considerable ability and reveals that the members must have spent many long hours rehearsing. The choruses are typical of a Capping Concert, with bizarrely-dressed students unconcernedly boisterous while they' sing new and topical words to rousing tunes. The interludes are full of good, clean fun, and a monologue based on " Dreamin' Love of Thee" is a worthy contribution to the programme, A feature is the work of the orchestra, under the direction of Mr Spencer Cook, and its numbers and its accompaniments enhance the concert. , , The concert will be presented again to-night and to-morrow and on Wednesday night. THE PROCESSION In the past decade the motif of the capping carnival has materially changed. The carnival still entertains, but from being merely an occasion for revelry it has come to play ah important part in the affairs of local charities. For several years the money collected by the students was given to • the Crippled Children's Society. Last year nearly £SOO was collected for the patriotic funds. Now the students have another opportunity to further the war effort, and that will be the object of this year's collection.