ON REAL ICE

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21081, 6 April 1940, Page 9

ON REAL ICE

WILLIAMSON’S ICE BALLET J. C. Williamson’s spectacular ice show and ice ballet, “Switzerland,” will open a season at the Theatre Royal , Hamilton, on Saturday, April 20, afternoon and evening, with performances on the four following nights, and, judging by the large number of inquiries which have been made in reference to the booking arrangements, there is going to be a record demand for seats. Special interest centres in the appearance of Miss Megan Taylor, the world’s champion ice skater, whose debut in Auckland recently was the signal for an unusual display of enthusiasm from an audience that packed the theatre from floor to the ceiling. The trick skating, too, of Phil Taylor astounded his audience, his skating on stilts and his jumping over barrels bringing the “house” down. The comedy of Eddie Marcel is a feature of the ice show, and his act with the pantomime horse, portrayed by Ronald Priestly and Eric Gerrard never fails to create much laughter. It is said that the poetic movements of the leading artists and of the ballet are reminiscent of the Russian Ballet. The ice ballet is a type of show that is very popular in London, New York and on the Continent, but never before has it been seen in New Zealand. The presentation of a show on an ice rink, built on the stage, has been made feasible only recently.

The box plans will be opened on Tuesday, April 16.