Victoria University College. Annual Extravaganza: Pep. 1924.Victoria University College. Annual Extravaganza: Pep. 1924.[electronic resource]Creation of machine-readable versionKeyboarded by KiwiTechCreation of digital imagesKiwiTechConversion to TEI-conformant markupKiwiTechca. 48 kilobytesVictoria University of Wellington LibraryWellingtonModern English,
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2011Victoria University College. Annual Extravaganza: Pep. 1924.Victoria University College Students AssociationWellingtonJune, 1924Source copy consulted: Victoria University of Wellington Library, LG741 V S
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"Pep." A Musical Extravaganza14th, 16th and 17th June, 1924.Victoria University College.By N. A. Byrne.Performed by the College StudentsGrand Opera House, WellingronProducer
Mr. Theodore Trezise
Costumes executed under direction of
Miss M. Campbell
Musical Director
Mr. W. Kohn
Properties
Mr N. Whiteman
Business Manager
Mr. F. A. Ruck
Foreword.
Rosalind says that good plays prove the better by the help or good epilogues. Like the fair maid of Arden we cannot insinuate with you in the behalf of a good play, and therefore offer this foreword in explanation of our theme. Our song is of Youth, a fitting subject for a students' revel, and our setting is frivolous, as our first object is to amuse. In our bushel of chaff, however, we have attempted to hide this grain of reason.
We ask you, Sirs, to give Youth its chance. Take a walk through our streets on a Saturday evening and watch the number of boys selling your evening paper, often until close on midnight. Go to our schools—you will find every teacher acquainted with the problem of the child who earns a living when his day's work should be over. Still better, go to the country—you will find that the sacrifice of Youth to the Golden Calf is a painful reality.
Nor would we confine the term to only the very young. That joyous enthusiasm, that zest for life which the legends of ancient Greece embody (and hence our first scene) is too easily lost in the people of to-day. Keenness for a living crushes keenness for life. And that enthusiasm and rest is one of the driving forces in the path of progress, which in the past has only too often been achieved by its sacrifice. Hence our second scene, centred in the figure of the girl, Charlotte Corday. Those familiar with "R.U.R.," the splendid play by the Brothers Capek, will readily understand the allegory of our Robots supposed mechanical beings, created only to work, and hence our third.
As, Sirs, we realise that the virtues of Youth may be counterbalanced by its indiscretions, we ask you to pardon us, and any indiscretions in our play, though we hasard that were it lacking in indiscretions, it might soon be lacking an audience.
N.A.B.
Orchestra.
ConductorWilfrid C. KohnFirst ViolinsMr. Rowe (Leader)PianoMr FisiierViolaMr A. GilliesCellosMr R. Byrne and Mr C. SmallboneBassMr DingleCornetMR MacPhersonTromboneMr A. KirkSaxophoneMr M. TozerClarinetMr RussellDrums and EffectsMr Turner and Mr Thompson
Chorus—Women.
Misses D. Hadfield, F. Cameron, D. Tanner, K. Patterson, E. Ballingall, M. Adams, E. Carson, L. Hulme, P. McMurray, K. King, N. Craig, G. Bruce, J. Campbell, V. Elliott, M. Robertson, P. Neale, I. Henderson, E Clougher, C. Swabey, P. McAteer, A. Platte-Mills, F. Lamb, B. Clarke, F. Wallace, E. Noble, R. Johnston, E. Hadfield, J. Purdie, A. Brown, B. Norris, and Mrs. E. Fair.
Chorus—Men.
Messrs. F. S. Hill, A. M. Wilson, C. Wylie, A. W. Griffin, E. L. Hunt, F. G. Staggart, F. A. Marriott, P. M. Brooker, L. T. Rawson, A. V. Jenkins, E. L. Palmer, K. G. Twiss, J. F. Gavin, T. P. Fisher, W. S. Harris, M. S. Pitkowsky, S. G. Joll, J. F. Paul, E. H. M. Adams, W. E. Wilson, H. Lucas, and D. Brooker.
Musical Numbers.
Act I.
Overture and Incidental Music—"In a Persian Market." OrchestraChorus—"Hear Us Ye Immortals." Air : "Night."Prayer and Farewell Chorus—"Ye Gods of Olmpus." Air : "Angus Macdonald."Trio—"Oh! Oh! Oh!" Air : "Oh! Hortense."Chorus and Solo—"Now Welcome Theseus." Air : "Butterfly Shooters." (Gay Parisienne).Solo and Chorus—"What a time we had." Air : "Jack's the Boy." (Geisha).Final Chorus—"Now Carpe Diem." Air: "Butterfly Shooters."
Act II.
Dance and Chorus—"Lorsque Sonne la Musette." Air : Original.Chorus—"Marseillaise."
Interval
Entra-acte—"Louisville Lou." Orchestra
Act III.—Scene 1.
March of Robots.—"Parade of the Tin Soldiers."Chorus Robots.—"We are Robots." Original air by Mr. J. Stainton.Dance Trio—"Barney Google" and "Moon River."Men's Chorus—"We've Found the Silver Lining." Air : "Look for the Silver Lining.
Scene 3.
Opening Chorus—"I Love the Girls." Air : "I Love the Girls in Ninon."Solos anl Chorus—"At V.U.C. there used to be." Air : "Anti-Cigarette Society" (Belle of New York),)Duet and Chorus—"Venetian Song."Final Chorus—"Now Carpe Diem." Air : "Butterfly Stoqetrs."
Songs.
Act I.—Entry of Priests and Victims for Sacrifice.
Air: "Night."Hear us ye Immortals,Look down from the portalsOf fair Olympus your Throne.Come ye AphroditeHera, Goddess Mighty,List when your children bemoan.
Chorus:
Save us from the tribute dreadMust this Minotaur be fedWith Athenians youthful;Each one but a toothful,Must we ever consecrateAll the fairest of our State,Must our youth the Minotaur placate :Save them, Zeus, from their fate.Forth now on the swift oarsWinged barks leave the dark shores;Swiftly from Hellas they flyTribute to the Cretan,Monster yet unbeaten.Save them, O Zeus, ere they die.
Chorus:
Save us from the tribute dreadMust this Minotaur be fedWith Athenians youthful,Each one but a toothful.Must we ever consecrateAll the fairest of our StateMust our youth the Minotaur placateSave them, Zeus, from their fate.
II.—Farewell to Theseus.
Air: "Angus Macdonald."
Prayer:
Ye Gods of OlympusLend him your aid;Inspire him with wisdomAthena the Maid.Keep watch o'er the hero,And bring him safe home,For thou canst defend him,Where e'er he may roam.For thou canst defend himWheree'er lie may roam.
Chorus of Farewell:
Now hasten, O Theseus,The proud ship frets to stayThe anchor is raised,Hasten on and away;Deliver from bondage,To monster uncouth,May fortune attend,May fortune attend,May fortune attend you,So Godlike in youth.May fortune attend you,So Godlike in youth.
III.—Trio: Neuwrightis, Tempwhitis, Rampageou.
Air : "My Sweet Hortense."
Neuwrightis:
I am a mostUncommon bird.My name is Mayor Wright-o,I do not boast,But have you heardAbout my famous fight-o?When Man nix came,That man of fameI nto our Wellington-o,My robes I would not donFor a civic reception.
Refrain:
Oh, oh, oh! Mp name's Mayor Wright,I ain't good-looking, but I mean alright;Before next electionI think that I'll pay dearly for that reception;General elections ain't no treatI'm rather scared that I'll Jose my seat.Oh, oh, oh! I'm filled with fright,That at the next election I won't be Mayor Wright
Rampageous:
Now I'm a manOf intellect,My name is Bernard Page-oh;Among the clanThe great elect,I am the big rampage-oh.I play with skill,But I can't fillThe Town Hall on Sundays-oh.I'm always waiting forThat cry, encore! encore!
Cast of Characters.
Act I.
Scene : In Ancient Greece.
A Priestess.Miss Thyra Baldwin
"Goldilocks, Goldilocks, three bags full."
—Tennant's "Tales for Tots."
First Woman.Miss Gwen Barnsdale
"She has a pretty foot for a dance."
—The Glidings of Gwendolen.
Opthalmia—A member of Grecian Eye-Sorciety.Mr. N. L. Knell
"As rich and purposeless as is the rose
Thy simple doom is to be beautiful."
—Little Knell's Naughtiness.—By Charles Garvice.
A Priest.Mr. H. Gledstone
"A clergyman should never shirk
To accept a motor from his kirk."
"Justice be Jiggered."
—The Rev. Robertson Orr.
Theseus.Mr. D. Priestley
"A pleasant looking gentleman with pretty purple eyes
I've noticed from my window as I sat a-catching flies."
—Horace Ward's "Howlers."
Attendant on Theseus.Mr. W. Blathwayt
"But last night at the Ambassador
I loved her best of all."
Rampageous—City Organist in Athens.Mr. J. Nicholls
When on the organ he do play
The ladies sigh "alack-a-day."
—Trezise's "Tootles from Town."
Tempwhitis.—A famous musician.Mr. I. Wallace
"Said John, I am a proper man
And very tall to see."
—Mots of Martin-Smith.
Neuwrightis.—Mavor of Athens.Mr. J. Lockie
He seized sedition by the wool,
'Twas like red rag: unto a bull.
—N.Z. Welfare League.
And the Minotaur.Sundry Legs
No beastie ever had for legs.
Half such a handsome set of pegs.
—"Chorus Girls' Capers." —Rankine Brown.
Priests, Victims to be Sacrificed, Dancing Girls, Athenian men and women.
Act II.
Scene : A spot near Paris. Time : French Revolution.
Charlotte Corday.Miss Mary Cooley
"And she answered, all the woman in her flashing from her eyes,
You mustn't ask no questions and you won't be told no lies."
—"Apple Charlotte," by Guv Boothby.
Lucille.Miss Thyra Baldwin
"Wee modest crimson, tippit flower."
—"Wholesome Hints," by Harcus Plimmer.
A Dancer.Miss Marjorie Buckeridge
"Oh Kewpie, Kewpie, Kewpie,We love your pretty bows,Your elegance so snoopy,And the way you twirl your toes."—Dr. Gibb's "Gurgles."
A Sergeant.Mr. S. Baume
"My resemblance to Napoleon always strikes me."
—"SBlood and SBattles." —Col. R. St. J. Beere.
A Soldier.Mr. J. L. MacDuff
"My uniform's a great success
Much nicer than civilian dress."
—"Ricochet to the Right."—by F. Martyn Renner. Soldiers, Citizens of Paris, etc.
Act III.
—Scene 1.
Scene : Office of Will E. Robbem.
Will E. Robbem.—King of Industry, owner of Robot Factory.Mr. T. Moses
"My duty I will never shirk,
'Tis watching other people work."
—"A Professor's Whole Duty."—F. P. Wilson
Captain Bill Gassey.—An ex-politician.Mr. N. Whiteman
(Of the Wembley Boy Scouts).
"There's nothing that I better like
Than settling a railway strike."
—H. E. Holland.
Corporal Sparr (of Mount Eden).—A famous educationalist.Mr. J. Lockie
"I do hate the limelight."
—Archie Sievwright.
Captain of Robots.Mr. J. Nicholls
And "the Captain of the Guard" took Jeremiah.
Scene 2.
Scene : Wellington, N.Z.
Captain Bill Gassey.Mr. N. WhitemanCorporal Sparr.Mr. J. LockieSergeant Dan.Mr. J. Nicholls
"Be prepared
My good deed for to-day."
—N.Z. Welfare League.
Scene 3.
Scene : The Future.
Spirit of Youth.Miss T. Baldwin
"What again! You surprise me."
The God Pan.Mr, H. Gledstone
"The common sin of babyhood—objecting to being dressed."
—S. Eichelbaum.
Singers.Miss E. Fair and Mr. N. Byrne
"Fair and warmer."
—D. C. Bates.
Dancers.Miss M. Tracy, Miss G. Barnsdale, Mr. J. WhiteOpthalmia.Mr. N. L. Knell
"Still going strong."
—J. Brook.
A. Robot.Mr. A. Wilson
Robot Soldiers, Workmen, Women, etc., etc.
Refrain :
Oh, oh, oli! I'm Bernard Page,Amongst the ladies I'm all the rage;On Sundays when I play,I cannot understand why people stay awayThe ladies love my carriage erect.Because I am a man of intellect.Oh, oh, oh! On any stage.You'll never find a thriller like Bernard Page.
Tempwhitis :
Now I'm sublime,A real live wire;My name is Temple White-oh.I beat the timeFor the C.T. choir,
It is ray one delight-oh.I teach, instruct,Inspire, conduct,Our noble. Choral Union;Though their singing is divine,The Orchestra's not too fine.
Refrain:
Oh, oh, oh! I'm Temple White,To see me bow is a wonderful sight;Tho' by nature I'm sedate,I really get quite angry when reserved's come late;By my chorus I am fearedThat's because of my fine black beard.Oh, oh, oh! It's my delight,There never was a man like Temple White.
IV.—The Return of Theseus.
Air : "The Gay Parisienne."O Theseus welcome with your lootWith your Minosaur Minotaur monster.It looks a most ferocious brute,Does your Dinosaur Minotaur monster."We thought that you'd become mincemeat,A dainty little birthday treatAnd that the fearsome beast would eatYou 'ere you could perform your feat,You ere you could perform your feat.
Chorus :
So clash the cymbals, beat the drums,The Minotaur monster comes;And Theseus steps with martial dash,Now with the girls he'll make a splash,Just watch them run to see the showThey kiss their fingers so.And wave their hands and cry "Bravo"As he goes marching by.How sweet he'll look in Newtown Zoo,Will your Dinosaur Minotaur monster.We'll give him buns and peanuts too,As everyone certainly wants ter.With Teddy's tiger he will sitSwap naughty yarns until they splitUntil the tiger in his pitFrom laughter pegs out bit by bit,From laughter pegs out bit by bit.
Chorus :
So clash the cymbals, beat the drums,The Minotaur monster comes;And Theseus steps with martial dash,Now with the girls he'll make a splash,Just watch them run to see the showThey kiss their fingers so,And wave their hands and cry "Bravo"As he goes marching by.
V.—Theseus' Son.
Air : "Jack's the Boy"Oh! It's nice to get ashore,With my little Minotaur;And I've really had a very pleasant trip.Ariadne put me wiseTo that cotton-reel device,It was nice of her to give me such a tip.Through the labyrinth I strode,Till I found the beast's abodeAnd I chained the jolly monster where he stoodWhen I'd fixed the noble beastAdiadne stood a feastAnd I sailed on the good ship Hood.
Chorus :
What a time we hadMe and AriadSailing on tlie Hood,Among the merry Isles of Greece,Oh, what a time we had,Me and Ariad,Sailing on the good ship Hood, Among the Isles of Greece.From the battle-field in Crete,I came sailing with my fleet,On my mighty little flagship called the Hood;Called at Sydney on the way,Had a merry little stay.Oh! I tell you boys the going there was good,Just as I was feeling sick,We arrived in old Port Nick,With the harbour looking at its very best.When I saw the girls ashore,Then I thought of nothing more,But I hopped from my bunk and dressed.
Chorus :
What a time had weDoing Lambton Quay,Competition keen among would-be Mamas-in-law.O Navy League en fete.Girls all palpitate,Jack a boy, you're just the boy,That all the girls adore.
VI.—Final Chorus—Chorus only.
Air: "The Butterfly Hunters."Now Carpe Diem Horace wroteNot Ward but Horace Flaccus,And every ancient bard of note,Wrote songs in praise of Bacchus.So gather rosebuds while ye mayBob Herrick doth commend,And Omar says "Ah make the mostOf what ye yet may spend."Don't shut youth up in factories,A sacrifice to Mammon;Don't murder it in victoriesTo end all war—that's gammon.'Tis youth that makes the world go round,Don't cabin crib confine it,Don't crib and cabin—give it play :In youth—there lies the day.
Act III.—Scene 1.
I.—Chorus of Robots.
Air by J. M. Stainton.We are RobotsGrafting hobos,Man's machines whoWork and toil.Three pounds nineteenIs our valueSo they say whoMake us moil.
Youth we know notSouls we own not,Our way but toPlough the soilWe plough, they reap;We work, they sleep,Glad we'll eschew,This mortal coil.
II.—Chorus of Robots.
Air : "Look for the Silver Lining."We've found the silver liningThe clouds have disappeared from the sky;With youth en firing,Ideals inspiring,We'll set the old ship to right,And make it water-tight.For those in the far to-morrow.There'll be no slaving hatred and strifeFor youth banishes all sorrow,Don't crush it ere it's had a chance of youth.
Scene 3.
Duet.—Opthalmia and a Robot.
A Robot :
At V.U.C.,There used to beOn Capping Day,A wonderful procession.The Student crowdWere then allowedOne day a 'yearTo shake off swat's depression.
Opthalmia :
In negligeeWe roamed the Quay,Behaving inA way they diln't ought to.But times have changedAnd it's now arrangedIf they don't behave,They'll bloomin' well be taught to.
Both :
Oh, give us back our Capping Procession,A diversion that was must felicitous.
Chorus :
Felicitous.
Both :
Oh, give us back this tiny concession,Of our conduct why should you make such a fuss.
Chorus :
Such a fuss.
Both:
If youth on our part is a defect,That's where we'll have some cause to disagree.
Chorus :
Disagree.
Both :
Of course we can never be perfect.But we're as perfect as we're able to be.
Chorus :
Able to be.
Both :
Of course we can never be perfect,But we're as perfect as we're able to be.
All sing :
Oh, give us back, etc.