VICTORY REVUE

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 65, Issue 5492, 1 July 1942, Page 4

VICTORY REVUE

OUTSTANDING PRESENTATION EMPIRE THEATRE WELL-FILLED MANY FINE NUMBERS There was an excellent house at the ! Empire Theatre on Monday night to witness the staging of the grand Victory Revue in aid of the W.A.C. funds. The audience filled the lower part of the theatre, and upstairs also there were few vacant seats. In round figures the crowd was estimated at 500 and takings were accordingly large—a truly splendid public response to an effort entirely patriotic and wholly the outcome of voluntary work done in most cases at not little personal inconvenience and even loss. The arrangement and production of the entertainment were managed by an enthusiastic group of local citizens and the programme was for the greater part supported by local artists. In those cases, however, where outside talent was engaged, the choices were indeed fortunate, and it can truly be said that the outstanding performances by the Te Kuiti dancers (V. Edgar, N. Howell and R. Clark) provided Te Awamutu people with something new. Although a lengthy programme was presented—nearly 30 items in all—rapid change-overs and occasional short “in betweens” prevented any dragging and the final half was lacking in none of the freshness and novelty which characterised the first portion. Th% producer was Mr Les. W Spence, and high praise is due to him for a really creditable effort. The public is not always mindful of the tremendous amount of tireless spade work involved in such productions—preparation of scenery, constant rehearsals, programme arrangement and countless other tasks that are done as it were in the wings of the stage when the grease, paint and glamour have still to perform their magical transformations. However, no producer can expect higher praise than that which is given his final product, and herein lies the reward of the producer ■ef Monday’s show. The stage manager (Mr F. Battson), the mechanician (Mr R. Goble), besides Mr H. Spence, who was in charge of the lighting, and Mrs Gibbs, who managed the makeup, must also be mentioned for their, valuable and essential contributions to the ultimate success. If it has been left to the last to say something of the music ably directed by Mr E. Moeller, it is because far from being a back stage support, the orchestra was well to the fore. Although at the last minute almost several players had to be changed, not a flaw was to be found. THE PROGRAMME Of the programme three items, by reason of their general effectiveness, call for prior mention. They we're, “Swinging Along to Victory,” the opening number, “The Empire is Marching,” which closed the first half of the revue, and the grand finale, “Wish me Luck.” All were performed by the entire company (with Mr K. Lewis taking a solo part in “The Empire is Marching”) and some 30 voices giving full expression to the spirit and meaning of the songs against a background of uniforms representing the Army, Navy, Air Force, Home Guard, W.A.C., V.A.D’s., and Boy Scouts, resulted in stirring and impressive spectacles that found their effect in prolonged and sustained applause. In all three, with a full stage colourful decoration and costumes something big was attempted with outstanding success. Nola and Dawn performed a Spanish due with fine leisurely grace, and a military tap by a ballet was well received. Patrons were loud in their praise of V. Edgar’s outstanding presentation of the Indian dance, Ton-a-Wanda. Starting slowly to gradually increase in momentum and reach its climax in the exhaustion of the dancer, this number is most realistic in itself, while the constant beating of a drum throughout, rising and falling in harmony with the movements, greatly heightening the effect. A humorous expressive novelty dance was given by V. Edgar and R. Clark. In addition, there was a Russian dance (Dawn Russell) and the mazurka by Nancy Howell. Intermittent humorous numbers were given by Ken and George, Miss Bell, G. Brinson and V. Venables, Pauline Barnett, Miss J. Webber, and Messrs B. Hey and Les Spence. Soloists were Miss Hazel Fear, Miss Peggy Giles, Mr H. Parker, little Barbara Dowds, V. Venables, L. A- C. Ainsworth, Warrant and Mr Pat O’Rooke, Officer Sturdee. A touching duet, “Sound the Last All Clear” was given by Miss S. Bell and Mr K. Lewis. Novelty numbers were xylophone solos (K. Cosgrove), mouth organ solos (Noeline Flutey and Miss P. Long), and instrumental numbers by Paul Costello. Man Foo, lavishly attired in Oriental garb, performed a number of mystifying tricks of magic. The full company comprised:— Ladies: Misses H. Fear, P. Long, S. Bell, K. Cosgrove, N. Morriss, J. Morriss, D. Russell, P. Barnett, P. Giles, J. Webber, V- Edgar, R. Clark, N. Howell, G. Picken, P. Bridge, M. Baird, W. Teddy, I. Teddy, P. Taylor, K. Kirkham, N. Brabiner, E. Casey, D. Beet, T. Campbell, L. Bainbridge, M. Wanklyn, V. Penny, M. Robinson, P. Sherley, H. Corden, A. Manson. Gentlemen: Messrs Bert Hey, K. Lewis, H. Parker, V. Venables, Geo. Brinson, Man Foo, P. Mclnally, P. Costello, L. Mather, D. Rogers, R. Allen. The orchestra was Messrs J. Maguire, B. Dixon, N. Grimshaw, E. Willers, S. McFie, E. Hooper, S. Barrett, W. Stewart, G. Ball, P. O’Rooke, E. Moeller, D. Willers, M. Hughes. THANKS EXPRESSED Mrs A. Kay, for the W.A.C., expressed thanks to all responsible for the production, saying that the revue was truly a credit to Te Awamutu and its environs. With the money raised it was hoped to assist in the provision of facilities for men of the Air Force, to provide parcels for men overseas and also make a donation to the All Purposes Appeal.