THE CARNIVAL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 144358, 24 March 1914, Page 7

THE CARNIVAL.

A WEEK OF GAIETY.

BRILLIANT COAIAIENOEMENT. King Carnival, like old King Cole, is an exceedingly merry gentleman, and the people ho rules over must needs banish dull care and forgot all else stive the merry-making business oi the moment. And lor the rime being the rollicking iun spread every whore by the infections joy-germ is a delicious tonic and an excellent antidote lor the worlies and cares ol life. The conquest ot Carnival is complete, and its inilucneo is felt in every household. It is responded to by all, from the sprightly little maid with her hair dotted with curling-pins to the enthusiastic old gentleman without any hair to curl. Certainly it is not often that we in New Plymouth are dominated by the sway of Carnival, but when such an event occurs it is observed in just such a manner as must be the ideal of the carnivtilisra ruler himself. Ihe latest, example is “Band Carnival Week,’’ commenced in the Theatre Royal on Alonday night, and opened with the greatest success. This giganiic fair has been planned for months past, and an energetic committee has spent much time in making and perfecting the arrangements. The great success of their efforts was demonstrated by the fine displays made both by the stallholders and tho performers in “Arcadian Revels, the special feature of the earnivah The scene on entering the hour of the theatre is a striking one Festoons and Hags arc everywhere, and tne mingled colours of the various stai.s form a splendid sight. These eta’T arc grouped right round the sides oi the hall, seals being placed in the centre for the convenience of those wishing to sec the performance of “The Arcadian Revels. ’’ In these are included a number of quaintly fascinating dances by over 200 performers, specially trained by Rrof. Owen Cardston. Judging by tho hearty appreciation everywhere expressed at Monday’s exhibition, the carnival should have a most successful season. THE OPENING. In opening tho Bazaar his Worship tho Alayor (Air. G. W. Browne) gave a short resume of the position ol the band since the Citizens’ Committee took control of it. and immediately prior to that. On Alarch I, 1913. the band bad practically decided to disband on account of financial difficulties, and the position was placed before a meeting ot citizens. Rather titan see the hand go out of existence, it was decided to relieve it of its financial difficulties, and set tho members free to improve (lie musical standing of the band. A learners’ class had been started and had met with considerable success. The wisdom of the policy adopted was proved by the success achieved by the band both collectively and individually at tho Auckland contest. With a view to placing the baud on an equal footing with others, in the matter of instruments and equipment, the present carnival had been inaugurated in an endeavour to raise the £6OO required He had no hesitation in appealing to tho citizens of New Plymouth to back the committee in its efforts to provide tho town with a first-class band. On behalf of the committee he sincerely thanked tho parents who hod permitted their children to take part in the dances, Airs. George for providing free music for the classes, Mr. G. 11. Saunders for valuable assistance, and dancers, stallholders, and all others who had assisted in any way. His Worship then declared the Bazaar open. THE WORKERS. The stalls and stallholders are as follow; — Refreshments (colours, white and green): Mcsdames J ury and Back; assistants, Aliases AFGuire, Jury (2), George, Gardner, Hazlett, and Brown.

Ice-cream and Soft Drinks (.red and navy blue); Mesdames B. M. Smith and H. Movorley; assistants, Misses M'Ewen, I. Bellringer, M‘Murray, Aldridge, and Loesch; Messrs. Moverloy, Milburn, Hurle, and Tuohy. Produce (red, white and blue); Mesdames Fnllman, 11. Okey, and H. Joll; assistants, -Mesdames Cummins and Austin, Misses Jones and Williams.

Sweets (heliotrope and gold): Mesdames Pollew and Bond; assistants, Misses Gunn, Early, Cummins, Warner, Shirley, George, Bielby, M'Gill and A. Blair. Bran Tub (blue and white); Mrs. Ardern; assistants, Misses Moon and E. Brown.

Gentlemen’s Stall (green and gold); IDs. Chas. Bullot, jun.; assistants, Misses K. Tuohy, Fabiau, Eva, Brown, Lealand, and Brooks. Plain and Fancy (blue and gold): Mesdames Browne, Grant and Bolton ; assistants. Misses Davis, Bellringer, Symons (2), Lye, Bielby, Henrichs (2), Smith and Guscott (dolls). Bandsmen’s and Jumble (amber and black): Mesdames Condio and Coleman ; assistants, Misses Dane (2), Tuohy and M‘6uire.

Flower Stall (natural green): Mesdatnes Peliow and Brooks; assistants, Misses Smith, Speed, Brooks, M’Guire, and Braund.

Hoop-la: Messrs. A. Pearce, L. E. Hoffmann, and W. Oonlthard. Telegraph Office: Messrs. C. A. Condio and C. Waters. Too much credit cannot be given the Citizens’ Committee. At their annual meeting only a month or two ago thero was an attendance of two or three people, but in spite of the apparent lack of interest shown in the band, the committee has worked willingly and well in creating an interest winch must certainly grow. They wore all present on Monday, Mr. R. Ellis, the energetic secretary, who has borne the blunt of tho organising work, being kept busy throughout. His assistant in the office is Miss _ Mills, The Carnival Committee, which also deserves the heartiest congratulations on tho splendid results achieved, consists of;—Messrs. G. W. Browne, Mayor (chairman), George Tabor. E. Carter, E. Sole, A. E. Sykes, W. Dilinen, Bandmaster J. J. Cummins, F. Coleman, A. Pearce, W. R. Coiilthard, R. Rill Johnson, and H. Moon.

Tho ballot box is placed in a prominent position near the office, to receive votes for the Carnival Queen election. Each person on entering the hall is presented with three free votes. The members of the band marched to the hall early In the evening, and played several selections outsido. The orchestral music inside was provided by Mrs. George’s orchestra.

THE ARCADIAN REVELS. There are altogether twenty-one items in “Arcadian Revels,” and two performances aro being given each evening. The items will be different each night, except in the case of special re-

quest numbers. The first performance, given on Monday, showed that Frptussor Cardsion has worked marvels inthe short time at Ids disposal. All tiro performers showed an intimate knowledge of what they were required to do, and tho many intricate movements were gone through without thy slightest hesitation. The many striking costumes worn added greatly to tho effectiveness of the various dances, tho dressing being on a most elaborate scale. Those ui charge of the Havels aro; Stage manager, Air. R. Hill-John-son; properly master, Air. 11. Aiooa; mechanist, Air. 1-i. Brooks; wardrobe mistress', Aids Doig; limelight operators, Alessrs. Alilne and Vaught. The programme gone through on Alonday consisted of the following items, widen were all greatly appreciated:—“Vo Okie English Garotte.’'--Fairy Queen. Miss ivy Gilbert; living statuary, Daisy McGuire and (dance Ajoverlay; ladies am! gentlemen of the viouit, Misses Gilbert, Idnott, Doig, Tnohy, Lonergau. Roberts, live, aim M'Ginry. Alessrs. Alilbnrn, ll itrlo, Stuinton. Jackson. APKwon (2), Ciodfn-y, and Guild. ‘'Japanese Billikins at Play. ' —ibis was most charmingly given by one hundred youngsters ol varying sizes, all dressed in Jaii.uusc vos. uiuc, “Change of Seasons,'.’ i. eluding the birth of Spring (Miss I£;K cn Bi ownc in the t itle rr.le) -AI a'-mlaaie: Aics 'S (,'larice Alovei e. y /. u it ai.mL iim", liraund, Gladys George, \\ imuo Gordgc, Una Sole, Mildred Roberts, l.tn.ij ,a:.cis, V iolet Doughty, Gladys Shv> n.V, Marat!;',m Atnon, Alnr.’ory IV.b-w, Violet llashivk. Grace Wa.mT. I‘.' yl, a Gunn, Lily Davison, Ifs-ma lumen, Timim.-I Loiicrgau, Teresa Cummin.-* Daisy APGuire, Kvyk-h Angus. Elsie* Bielby. After a vh-iri'.ing diiueo, the* fairy Queen (AH:-;, Gilbert) Summer to pi offing _ her stay, and a Summer lialivt is dam-; ! ’;>• Mlm'* Fabian, Broun, Jury. Jpiiunv. Calu. Tnohy. Lye. Hut mv ,n, D.ni-. Blmr. Lealand, and. Simons. An Autumn Ballet is mix, danced In .Met-'s nuiy, Browne, Kabh.n, Tnohy i‘2l, I .ye. Blair,

Hazlett. Symons (2), Vcia.ei, Brooks, iiiGhy, -q.„Vd. ,‘-belli, 'the Demon t.Mr. Seed) l.h. n appears with a n-miie bung and deposes die other S'lin.'iy .-citing up Winter in their place. Ihe piece cm,chides with a skating scene, m which the following take nart; AT .“-is. Alason, Smith, Tunbridge, Abbot'., Mnsnn, Smith, liurle. Cardston. Alason, Gleeson. Bellringer, a *s Joiner. The second imu ot the programme opened with “La Belle Dan.-c I'arisienc,” in which the following took part; Alisses Kanina, 'I unity, Cam, Blair. Sliced, Lealand. ALGinre and Gaidr.ev, and Ales,sis. iiurle, Godtrcy, tbiiu-rson, Jackson, Guild, Crick lon, Hooker and Fellow. . ... “llie Dance of the Swi.-,s Sbepnerdcsscs” was given by Aitsscs Alarjory Gardner, Alyra Aldridge, Dukxe Gatdner, Kathleen Cuincdes, Mo.fa M'l.ee. Irene Steuarl, Gwen (VaU'i,;, Thomson, Miaul .Smith, Zita Br.unu., Daisy APGuire, -Nora Tnohy, Plane.' Aioverlcy and Lulu Frauen,

Ihe next scene showed Quaker girls at play, imluding the laoleaux: ta) Idris playing cricket; I,hi girls begging for chancy; tci gins quarrel, iir.s; Quakeress; Aliss i.ii, eo M'Ciuire. Quakeresses• Misses GiiUert (2), Lllmlt. Browne, Tnohy, licllr.ngcr, Lye ano Jury. This was a charming item, tbe singing of Aliss APGuire being much admired.

“Tally-ho! Tally-ho!” was accorded a great reception, tne pcrioriners, ute.s, d in hunting costume, going through their movements with great accuracy. I hose tatting part wetv Atisscs Bn,woo, July, Bellringer, AfGuirc, Eva. Lye, George and Roberts, and Alessrs. Alilbnrn, iiurle, Patten son, Guild, Fellow, Crichton, Tuohy and Godin y; siocpicchasois by Alissos" Kihotl. Gilucrt (2), Vnohy, and Prof. Cardston.

Tho grand hnalo, “A Night in Bohemia,” (introducing tho march oi tho nymphs) was perioruicd by Altsscs Browne, Fabian, Jury, Davies, Jiciiringcr, Blair. George, Cain (2), Tuony (2). Gardner, Gcnge, Dye, Braund, Lealand, APGuire (2;. Brouics, iia/.leit. Symons (2), Speed, Smith am) limlby. A choral finale by the waole. company concluded this highly snccc.s.-hil leature of tho evening. To-night there will be a change of firogrammc, though several of the buleU shown last night will bo tepeuted by special request.