EMPIRE PAGEANT

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21193, 16 August 1940, Page 6

EMPIRE PAGEANT

PROPOSAL FOR HAMILTON PRELIMINARY MEETING HELD MUCH ENTHUSIASM SHOWN The proposal to hold a Pageant of Empire in Hamilton was launched last night, when a very successful meeting was held in Toorak Hall. There was a large attendance of members of the Operatic Society, the Playbox, the Performers’ Club, the organisers of the pageant and others interested. Mr J. R. Fow occupied the chair, and said that the idea of holding a pageant appealed to him very much, for never was there a time when it was more necessary to emphasise the greatness of Britain and all that had gone into the making of that greatness, and to inspire the people by a realisation of all that Britain was defending in its struggle against Nazism—not only the freedom of its people but that also of the peoples of the world.

Mr R. Braithwaite, who wrote the scenario of the proposed pageant, said the ideas behind it are:—(l) To give an outline of British history by dramatising certain periods. They are the introduction of Christianity, reign of King John and the signing of the Magna Carta, Queen Elizabeth’s reign and the threat of the Spanish Armada, Charles I. and the real beginning of the powers of Parliament, the development of the Empire, and 1940. (2) To give an idea of the growth of British liberty and the threats which have been successfully overcome during the years. (3) To give inspiration to the people and to show what we fight for. (4) To provide entertainment based on fact. Mr Braithwaite said it was hoped that the effort would be a community one, that available talent would respond to help such a production, and that the public would support it. Officials Appointed Mr Galloway said it had been decided to produce the pageant by the Hamilton Combined Performers, bringing in all those willing to help. Mr A. E. Manning had agreed to act as supervising director, Miss Phyllis Torpy as producer, Miss Roie Docherty (assisted by Miss Leonie Swarbrick) as ballet mistress, Messrs Hunt and Oldham as secretaries, and Mr G. Garvey as treasurer. A music committee had also been set up.

Mr Hunt explained the financial position, saying that it was hoped to get straight-out donations toward the cost of production. While the first object of the pageant was to interest and inspire the people, any profits would go to patriotic purposes. On the motion of Mr Fow it was decided to give whole-hearted support to the pageant, and to stage it in about two months. A meeting of all those willing to help will be held next Monday, when the producer will be present and the script will be read.