“OUR MISS DEEDS”

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 757, 10 May 1933, Page 3

“OUR MISS DEEDS”

Audience Pleased With Burlesque. GIRLS’ SPLENDID ACT. The spectacular and artistic act produced by the Women’s Club saved the iy33 Canterbury College revue, “ Our Miss Deeds,” from mediocrity. The extravaganza opened last night at St James Theatre to a good house. The audience was indulgent, and there was much to laugh at in the show, so the production went with a swing. The audience came to enjoy itself, and applauded vigorously without prejudice, although the men’s section of the programme, with the marked exception of the warblings of the “College Growers, ’ was really disappointing. The sketches were weak, vague in construction and extravagantly over-acted by students who seemed never to have heard of the word restraint in its histrionic application. Still, it was a thoroughly enjoyable evening, and a revue audience is never critical. A pleasing feature was that there was absolutely no offence against good taste. The organisers are to be congratulated on having the courage to eliminate the broad humour that has been a feature of some past shows, and this year’s production is the better for their wisdom. Without the inspired assistance ot the women, the exuberant slapstick comedy of the male students would have become a little tedious, but the colourful act staged *by the Women’s Club made a welcome, break. Their part of the show opened with a doleful chorus, dressed in black, singing a rather lugubrious song about the trials of the depression. A second chorus, brilliantly frocked, came on and suggested taking refuge from depression by concentrating on gaiety. This advice was taken, and several snappy ballets carried out the theme, while there was an excellent pas de seul. The ballets were excellently trained and pleasingly frocked. The audience showed in no uncertain way that it was delighted with the charming and shapely girls who danced so vivaciously before a background vivid with the colours of the brilliantly dressed chorus. More than sixty girls were on the stage in the finale of this act, and it was a colourful and impressive spectacle. No praise is too high for the girls responsible for this most pleasing section of the revue.

After the usual bands of young students in the circle had entertained early arrivals by ribald comments and greetings to celebrities as they appeared, the curtain rose on “ Spanish Onions,” the Rolleston House effort. The scene was laid on a battleship, where the sailors’ revels with the gay Spanish senoritas of the port were interrupted by the irate captain. The arrival of a quaint toreador, who engaged in a fight with a most recalcitrant bull, further complicated matters, even beyond the understanding of the audience, but the scene ended with a general reconciliation, apparently satisfactory to all parties, but quite unintelligible. Three choruses were sung with spirit by the members of the cast, and Captain Brassbound (unconverted) and Frasquita Frascati, a beautiful damosel. were responsible for some bright comedy. The next turn was provided by the “College Growers,” who sang “In Merry Mood ” and “ Down Among the Dead Men ” in attractive style. The voices harmonised remarkably well, and the audience made, it clear that it would have liked to hear more of them. Their return in the second half of the programme was welcomed “ Oogli Helovanitch,” by non-resi-dential men, was a political sketch with some bright comedy in it. Oogli, a seductive Communist, is sent by a number of Russians, heavily disguised, to New Zealand to secure the secret plans of the New Zealand Legion from* one Dr Sera m bell Dcgg. Dr Degg is found drilling his men, but he is no match for the wily Oogli, who secures the plans and returns to Russia to sing “her” song of triumph. Oogli “ herself ” was the. strength of this interlude, “her” pleasing the audience. The programme continued with the College House presentation, “Fiendish Nights,” in which a number of smugglers, led by a Canterbury College student who had been expelled for throwing cballc, thwart the plans of a desperate villain. The ghost scene was well done in this act, and the pseudo smuggler is returned to the arms of his Arbutus while the villain retires, gnawing his long moustachios in confusion. Arthur’s song. with chorus. took musical honours for “Fiendish Nights.” The last item was a glimpse into the future with “ Techno-Crazy,” a highly improbable but diverting picture of the university of the future. It was the brightest piece of sheer burlesque in the show, and was favourably received. Warm praise is due to Mr C. L. Martin and an efficient orchestra, who gave a snlendld performance. During the interval the patron. Dr H. T. J. Thacker, reminded the audience that the proceeds of the revue were In

aid of a deserving object and merited support. He remarked on the splendid performance given by the girls and suggested that the Russian scene would have been made more colourful if the Deputy Mnvor had been brought on to the “Red Flag.” “Our Miss Deeds” will be repeated to-night and to-morrow night.