FINE GYMNASTICS

Taranaki Daily News, 31 October 1935, Page 7

FINE GYMNASTICS

ANNUAL Y.W.-Y.M.C.A. DISPLAY. HIGH STANDARD OF EFFICIENCY. An exhibition in which the good ruggedness of effort was well blended with glib perfection, the annual Y.M.-Y.W.C.A. gymnasium display in the New Plymouth Opera House last night was enthusiastically received by a very large audience. There was variety in the items, but all demonstrated forcefully the beauty of controlled movement and the impressiveness of massed effects. They were a tribute to the efficiency of the instructors, Miss O. J. Taylor, Mr. J. H. Ledgerwood and Mr. A. R. Lucas. A foretaste of what was in store, the grand march brought 300 performers on to the stage, men and young women, boys, girls and children surely only just past the toddling stage. Sensibly clad in white tunics and red or black shorts, they made a ""fine array. The exercises of the senior men’s class were of course the most spectacular on the programme. On the horizontal bar the squad performed astonishing feats. Each man became a machine with arms and shoulders of steel and legs swinging with a nice judgment that tossed the bodies over the high bar or sent them hurtling through the air to i land neatly on the matting. On the parallel bars the same attuned muscularity and precision was in evidence. In some of the “stunts” it seemed the taxed sinews must snap but each exercise was tackled and completed with assurance. As “Three Dumb Eggs” three senior men provided the sole comic turn. Sadly attered in apparel, the trio without a word went through an acrobatic series with numerous humorous twists. The man who laboriously lifted 4001 b of iron —albeit a young girl later carried it away with one hand—was an artist in that moment and the wav he screwed his body to assist the lifting was a delight.

The living statuary item was somewhat marred by the fact that the curtain did not drop between tableaux. Consequently the audience was treated to scenes of murky and surreptitious preparation which detracted from the intrinsic beauty' of the final result. Nevertheless the trio of performers showed skill and poise in their representations. The work of the senior girls demanded than the work of the men. On the paxallel bars a squad did preliminary moyemuch less strength but no less piecision exercises, involving co-ordinative movements in apparatus work 'which were evidence of fine balance and vigour. The ment, were carried out with grace and confidence. Despite the fact that faultless execution demands absolute concentration or a very retentive memory, the girls made no errors. In the exhibition dumbell drill they were equally assured. The folk dancing, although technically correct, was done a shade too stiffly. Only one girl appeared to enter fully into the carnival spirit that should dominate these dances. . Indian club swinging is always fascinating to watch and the beauty of the exercises last night roused applause from the audience. With deceptive ease, perfectly in time, the girls twirled the clubs in their hands, and, when the lights, in the theatre were turned out, the illuminated club ends made changing circles of fire round them. Vaulting and diving on the pommelled

horse was done by the “Wayfarer” girls’ class and the Hi-Y boys. Some of the more complicated exercises carried out by the boys were really excellent m quality and the girls gave a fine exhibition of elasticity and poise. A comic element was provided by the last member of the squad, who was only about ’half as tall as the first girl. As the jumping became higher and higher she was increasingly taxed until in the final exercise of leaping over a class-mate crouched on the horse she leapt into the air and swept horse and class-mate to the mat.

Long bar calisthenics were done by the “Wayfarers.” Some of the striking postures in this item were beautifully taken. The “Tiny Y’s” did hoop calisthenics with an accuracy of movement and a surety of memory that was remarkable in so young a squad. Naturally the display could not be complete without pyramid forming. The business boys gave a series of fine examples, getting into position quickly and keeping good balance. In forming floor pyramids the junior and intermediate boys convincingly demonstrated the recreational value of exercise. A demonstration of ordinary class work was given by senior boys but there was a little too much simple marching. i Three solo dances, given by pupils of Miss Peggy Wylds, were loudly but unavailingly encored by the audience. Vivian Walton did a graceful Russian dance; Dinah Allen in striking stylised costume was a merry reveller tap-dancing home and Joan Wood made a charming jockey in her red and white satin coat and high red boots. The orchestra, under the direction of Miss Vinnie Ross, contributed the final note to a display which, besides being a striking testimony to the work done by the association, was excellent entertainment. After the performance Mr. Ledgerwood thanked the audience for its attendance and its reception of the items. The display had been made possible by public spirited citizens, particularly Dr. G. Home, and Mr. Ledgerwood thanked the orchestra, the Press and all who had assisted in the exhibition.