BEAUTIFUL FROCKING AND SETTINGS IN “THE ARCADIANS”

Wanganui Chronicle, 9 November 1949, Page 9

BEAUTIFUL FROCKING AND SETTINGS IN “THE ARCADIANS”

The costuming in "The Arcadians," this year's production of the Wanganui Musical and Dramatic Society, which opened its six nights' season at the Opera House last night, won warm commendation from the audience. There was much charm and beauty too, in the stage settings, which have received more than usual attention, and enthusiastic applause greceted the rising of the curtain on each of the acts. The attractively dressed choruses and ballets, as a background to the lovely and varied costuming and-frocking of the principlals, are an added feature of the production. For the first act the curtain rises on a sylvan scene in Arcadia, with groups of youths and maidens dressed in white Grecian robes—the maidens wearing garlands of flowers crisscrossed on the bodices of their robes, garlands of flowers in their hair, and on their feet Grecian style sandals, and the youths in white tunics bordered with key pattern in gold, blue cloaks caught on the shoulders with golden ornaments, gold headbands and knee high laced brown sandals. Nita Oldham, who plays the leading part of "Sombra,’’ the Arcadian, and Shirley Smith, who takes the part of her sister, "Chrysea,’ make their first appearance in white Grecian draperies, each with a long scarf draped from one shoulder to the other and descending in long folds almost to the hem. The cross-over garlands of flowers are fastened to the silver waistbelts, and the colour note is repeated in the flower sprays in their hair. Later they wear pastel toned robes, Sombra in apple blossom pink and Chrysea in primrose yellow. The robes are made with long flowing angel sleeves outlined in silver and clasped on the shoulders with crystal ornaments, the crystal being repeated in the girdle belts. Crystal and silver diadems completing this raiment, which is worn throughout the production. "Amaryllis’ (Shirley Goss) is seen in a white classical gown with long flowing scarf and girdle of silver and jade filagree. Her second Arcadian gown is in pastel pink. Two Arcadian youths “Strephon"! John Dunlop), and “Astrophel" (Kelvin Patterson) wear gold key patterned bordered white tunics under cloaks, one being bronze lined with gold, and the other in burgundy shade and gold lined, each caught at the shoulders with golden clasps. They wear sandal style footwear. Beverley Jacobsen, as "Mrs. smith,” wife of a Cockney hotel-keeper wears in the race scene an effective black and white ensemble black hat trimmed in black and white lace and touches of scarlet and carries a parasol. In the last act she is seen in an evening gown in burgundy shade featuring a sheath skirt open at one side to the, Iqpee. Her accessories are goldencoloured. Taking the part of "Lady Barclay,” Shirley Ryan appears in the race scene in a new electric blue two-piece suit with accordion pleated skirt and tight-waisted coatee. Her flowered hat tones with the suit. For the last scene she wears a floral skirt in rich henna shades and top of silk velvet. The race scene shows Pamela Prebble, as “Eileen Cavanagh,” niece of “Mrs. Smith,” in an emerald green moss crepe two-piece suit with a fluted peplum lined with burgundy taffeta, and a close-fitting cap, bonnet shaped at back, in Schiaparelli pink, trimmed in black coque feathers. Later, in the Arcadian restaurant her romantic picture frock of ivory organza is accented in pink. The crowd at “Askwood” are in smart and varied race ensembles and outfits. Brian Russ, as “Jack Meadows," the owner of the winning horse, wears conventional race dress and later is seen in evening kit. As “Sir George Paddock,’’ an Englishman, William Thomson, at the races, wears a morning suit and topper. “James Smith” (Ray Stanford) a hard-boiled hotel proprietor from London, who crashes into Arcady, is first in a flying outfit. He next emerges from the well of truth looking sweet and innocent and young, in a white tunic adorned with lamb-skins, flaxen cherub curls and blue ribbon, and “Sombra” renames him “Simplicitas.” In the restaurant which he has organised, he is a combination of big business man and Arcadian sweetness, and wears lace jabots and frills on his evening dress tail coat and a skittish wreath of flowers tipped over one eye. Harry Jones as “Father Time,” wears traditional costume, and Joe Paul, who takes the part of a woman, appears ina costume consisting of a full pink skirt, close-tting black top with net frills over the shoulders. The chief characteristics of the dress of Jimmy Mack, as “Bobby,” a racing character, are a jaunty bun hat and walking stick. A London version of Arcadian costumes, complete with tiaras and Grecian silver bands, are worn by the waitresses in the Arcadian Restaurant. The women guests are in evening frocks. The planning and designing of most of the costumes and frocks has been in the hands of the wardrobe mistress, Miss Mavis Burton, whose capable assistant, Mrs. C.-S. Smith, has given much help. Members of the cast also helped by undertaking the sewing and making up of their own frocks and costumes. Mr. L. Moss designed and made the costumes for the men in the cast. The dressing of the ballets were appropriate to the scenes and added to the colourful effect. Smart Leghorn Hats. Miss Copley, of the Ascot Milinery Salon has just received a small quantity of leghorns smartly trimmed with flowers, velvet and veiling. Suitable for all types. Good fittings’ Pre-Wedding Party. Miss Betty Skeet and Mervyn Springer, whose marriage takes place shortly, were entertained by the committee and members from the St. John’s Tennis Club on Saturday night. The evening took the form of a picture outing, then supper party at Mr. and Mrs. W. Colville’s home. The couple were presented with a small clock, and best wishes were expressed to them.