“A RUNAWAY GIRL”

Wanganui Chronicle, 4 May 1949, Page 7

“A RUNAWAY GIRL”

Picturesque Dressing; Clever Colour Schemes One of the outstanding features of the Wanganui Musical and Dramatic Society’s presentation of “A Runaway Girl" is the attention given to the staging and costuming. Nearly all the costumes were made by a group of enthusiastic workers under the direction of lite wardrobe mistress, Miss M. Burton, her assistants being Mrs. O. S. Smith, Mrs. V. Thrush, Miss P. Scott, Miss Audrey Gleeson, and Miss Marjorie Spencer-Smith, to whom warm commendation is due for the time, skill and ingenuity put into the designing and making of the costumes, many of which strike a note that could be labelled professional. At the first performance last night many of the costumes drew very favourable comment from the audience. Few people realised that ordinary everyday household materials and objects had been used in the making, the former ascending the scale from sacking, brightly coloured striped mattress covering, sheeting, felt and cottons, to muslins, taffetas, silks, and satins, while bottle tops and bright silver and gold buttons were among the objects used for jewels and other adornment. Much thought and ingenuity went into the making of a jewel encrusted costume and headdress, which ordinarily would have glittered with spangles and jewels. Scenes of variegated colour showed choruses and groups attractively attired. Shirley Smith in the leading role of “Winifred Grey,” makes her first appearance with a group of school girls, all wearing royal blue skirts, white blouses with neck bows and sashes in scarlet, black berets and shoes. When she runs away with a strolling group of musicians she wears a colourful costume of Venetian red skirt deeply edged in brilliant green, appliqued in scrolled gold effect and encrusted with “jewels,” a wide belt to match, white peasant blouse with low gatherejl neckline, and gold cap-scarf. Later she donned a blue frock with silver lace flounce round the hem to match the fichu adorning the neckline. Ngaire Holland, as “Dorothy Stanley,” sister of Guy (played by Fred Phillips), was attractive in her frock of white sprigged organdie made in the style of the early nineteen period, with a double flounced skirt, large white picture hat and carrying a parasol. Later in the military .parade she ( appeared in a white pleated skirt and green and gold military jacket, and i hat. As “Mrs. Creel” (the wife of an I entomologist) who is on Iter honey-1 moon, Olive Bracks wears a befrilled dress of black and white taffeta with | puffed sleeves and cherry bands edg-| ing the frills and trimming the large hat, also of black and white taffeta. After two peasant frocks, the first in floral with white blouse and black corselet belt, and the second one in blue, Martha Sedgwick, as “Carmenita.” a wandering musician, wears a | sophisticated trained gown in silver j lame, a halo, and also wings (to suit the character of the part). Marjorie Craig and Audrey Gleeson ■ as English ladies, were attractively j frocked, the former in pink with hat I of crushed strawberry pink and j matching ribbons, and the latter in i blue dotted white muslin and large straw hat trimmed to match.

Very striking and typical of the period was the striped outfit worn by Beverley Jacobsen, as “Lady Coodle.” Tne tight-fitting jacket and flared skirt in red and brown stripes on a pale fawn ground suited the wearer. Side pockets on the jacket were emphasised with the stripes in cross effect .while on each wide lapel was a latge cream button. A large hat with high-standing bow completed her outfit. As “Lady Coodle’s" maid Alice. Fayette Rountree wore the traditional black dress, but with a difference. A pretty blousette effect seemed to be all in one with the dainty laietrimmed apron which was matched by the cap. Male members of the cast and the ladies any gentlemen of the chorus and the musicians’ group contributed their share of colour to the scene, especially in the “Soldiers in the Park” number, in which military costumes were worn, and in the Venetian scene when rainbow colours were most effective.

Pretty and effective frocks were worn by the members of the ballet who presented several numbers, including the cigarette ballet, in white ballinera frocks with one black shoulder strap and wearing one black glove, the military ballet, wearing cream pleated skirts, red coats and pillbox hats; Venetian ballet, in red and green banded skirts, black bodices with a silver spray to match the headdresses. Altogether the costuming is striking and attractive, the whole wardrobe reflecting credit on the designers.