Other formats

    Adobe Portable Document Format file (facsimile images)   TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Salient. An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria University, Wellington N.Z. Vol. 22, No. 5. June 8, 1959

Extrav

Extrav

"Vat '59" revolves around Dave Brown, a back-country hick who comes to the big city of Kittsburg to rescue the country from its dangerous economic situation by making and selling Taipa Gin.

Dave's bright idea is quickly taken over by Walter and friend Quagmire, but their enthusiasm fades away rapidly as the scheme fails.

Dave is on the run, his escape leads him back to his home town where he is acclaimed when his "gin" is found to be the perfect catalyst for New Zealand iron sands.

The plot is flexible enough, hitting, among others the Play-way controversy and the awkwardly-timed travels of a certain M.P. One of the most effective jibes of the show, however, is the song "The Game," a beautiful crack at the country's craze for sport in general and rugby football in particular. Another high spot—the revised version of the New Zealand anthem.

David Lind-Mitchell's impersonation of the Prime Minister, was extremely effective, specially in his theme song "Mr Wonderful." But the full effect of many of the songs was lost in the inaudibility of the chorus.

Many of the other characters, notably John Koolman as Dave (though why a student was not cast in this part we don't know) gave good performances, though none of them approached the polished work of David Lind Mitchell.

The programme, a parody of "Time" magazine, was a most original and excellent effort.

When such talent for parody as this is shown in the university, it is a pity that such rubbish as "Cappicade" should be offered to the public each year.

S.J.R.