CHEERFUL STUDENTS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 672, 25 May 1929, Page 5

CHEERFUL STUDENTS

farewell to king of KAWAU STREAMERS AND HAKAS In a theatre bedecked with flaunt, jng streamers and ringing to the sound of bakas and cheers, an enthusiastic and entirely good-humoured audience bade farewell to the students’ extravaganza, “The King of Kawau,” at St. James la.st evening Although there was the usual demonstration which is always associated with the last night of a varsity revue, no exception could be taken to the behaviour of even the most riotous in the audience, and it is safe to suppose that both house and players tnjoved the raillery with which certain well-known characters were assailed on each appearance before the footlights. The theatre was well filled by 7.30, and the arrival of each celebrity was the signal for a fresh outcry from the upper circle of the theatre. When celebrities were missing the students entertained with a haka, which involved a furious stamping of feet, much to the consternation of the more nervous members of the audience seated beneath in the dress circle. A rather worn saveloy suspended from the upper circle by a cord beguiled the minutes for the students who shrieked with merriment as it was dropped on the head of an unconscious person below and then feverishly hauled out of the "clutching zone” In case of retributive measures being launched by the victim. Occupiers of the stalls and dress circle seat had an excellent view of what can best be described as the snow-storm from a Christmas pantomime as scraps of coloured paper, darts, balloons of varied hues and paper streamers settled softly down from above. Inspired by the uninvited comments of friends in the audience, the company rose to great heights as the show went with a swing from start to finish. The most vociferous applause was saved for the ballet, which tripped on and off to the accompaniment of "three times three” college yells and stamping feet. Next in order of favouritism were the topical numbers. The first of these quartets was “Up the Chute,” in which R. Fenwick, D. Plummer, A. H. H. Fryer-Raisher and P. Martin were associated. Demands for more and more verses were so peremptory that the members of the quartet frantically searched each pocket for typewritten slips with yet another jingle commenting on current affairs of the city. The Mayoral election, Jerry bundon, the Transport Board, Evolution and the Mount Eden water catastrophe were subjects trenchantly dealt with amid howls of appreciation from above. It was late in the evening before any missile more dangerous than a streamer was hurled to the stage below. Then some enterprising soul tossed a few carrots, casting an anxious eye round the members of his faithful band, the leader of the orchestra appealed to the audience, pointing nut the danger to expensive instruments when a fusillade of such heavy missiles as carrots was flying only a few inches above the orchestra's head. •We don’t mind the streamers,” he said, disentangling one that was < ovly draped round his neck, "but carrots are not fair.” Not another carrot was thrown. At the -conclusion of the show the authors. Messrs. J. Nigel Wilson and » j. c. Andrews, the business manager, Mr. A. P. Postlewaite, the producer, Mr. J. A. S. Coppard, and the musical director, Mr. Trevor Sparling, were lured on the stage, where cheers were given tor everybody, and the curtain Tung down on an dhilarious scene while members of the company clutched bouquets and boxes of chocolates, which had been handed up in great numbers.