POETRY OF MOTION.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18157, 23 October 1930, Page 2

POETRY OF MOTION.

GYMNASTIC DISPLAY. FINE Y.M.C.A. PRESENTATION. THE VALUE OF EXERCISE. It is just eight years ago since the Hamilton Y.M.C.A. staged its first gymnastic display. There were not. many performers on that occasion, hut their work proved such an* attraction as to lay the foundations for an annual display which has grown to large proportions. The value of physical exercise cannot be too greatly stressed, for where health is concerned there is no better medicine. The Y.M.C.A. gymnastic- classes do not learn mere physical exercises, but undergo training in all branches of muscle and body-building. All work is done to the accompaniment of music and to see a class moving in unison to a waltz tune is to see the real poetry of motion. The eighth annual display was sfaged in the Theatre Royal last night when a practically- full house witnessed a fine exhibition of all branches of physical exercises £nd acrobatics. Nearly two hundred performers, divided into eight classes, participated, and every item on the lengthy programme was gone through without a hitch, a tribute to the work of Mr A. J. Yendell, the stage manager.

The display opened with a parade of all performers, the younger members forming a large 1 Y ’ on the stage. The gymnasium chorus was then sung, after which the Y.M.C.A. Entertainers, four clowns, made their appearance, and amused the audience with jokes and sketches. These humourists provided screamingly funny interludes throughout the programme, often appearing in ridiculous costume. The senior men staged some particularly fine acrobatic' and tumbling acts during the evening, their work on the horizontal and parallel bars being of a very high order. .Some of their feats appeared simple, but the ease with which they were per-' formed was the result of experience that only long hours of practice can I give. Graceful exercises with ball and string, and silver wands were demonstrated by the ladies, who also staged some sensational tumbling, and were associated with the men in pyramid building. This latter act was a feature of the programme, and the speed with which the figures were formed gained much applause for the performers. A graceful dance personifying the opening and closihg of a flower, was also given by the ladies. The older girls and the secondary school class were seen in calisthenics and wand drill, in which intricate movements were gone through without a mistake. School games were played by a class of junior girls, tiny tots from the primary schools, who entered into the spirit' of the popular games of childhood with real enjoyment. The secondary school boys were seen in marching exercises and movements which called for no little concentration,' while the junior boys carried out ground exercises. The concluding item was an ensemble of performers, who marched on to the stage, and sang a further ohorus. Prior to the falling of the curtain Mr C. L. Mac Diarmid, ohairman of the Board of Directors of the Y.M.C.A., spoke briefly on the work ■of the institution. He congratulated the physical director, Mr W. Eyre, on the excellence of the display, and paid a tribute to his work in training the performers. “The Y.M-.C.A., in Hamilton,” continued Mr Mac Diarmid, “is doing a valuable community work, but it is difficult in days like these to carry on without finance. If the public will give us their support and sympathy they will be assisting to further a cause that is of great benefit to the younger' generation."

Much of the success of the display was due to the efforts of the orchestra, under the direction of Mrs A. Bartholomew, which provided the music for the acts. Valuable assistance was also given by Mr G. Williams, who played the accompaniments for the enterjainers. Much could be said of the part played by the physical director, Mr W. Eyre, in staging the display, but it is sufficient to say that the Hamilton Y.M.C.A. is fortunate in having the services of such a proficient instructor.