News Vuw

ISSN 1171-3542, Vol 2 No 8 14 June 1993

Vic boosts local economy – pages 8, 9

Warning on get-rich scheme – page 11

New computer set-up – page 2

Don't tell the Minister of Police, but these beautiful Victoria University ballerinas are actually guys in drag. It all goes to show just how depraved Vic students used to be, for the photo was taken at a student Extravaganza in the Opera House around 1935. Memories of such goings-on will be revived soon at an Extrav retrospective in the Memorial Theatre — see page 10.

NewsVUW is a fortnightly newspaper for staff and students of Victoria University of Wellington

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Extrav Comes Alive Again

Extra Vaganza, the student revue that marked graduation celebrations at Vic for many years, comes alive again on July 17 with a revival-cum-reunion at the Memorial Theatre.

Roger Hall, New Zealand's most successful playwright (Glide Time, Middle Age Spread, etc), who was keenly involved in Extrav during his time at Vic in the 60s, has jumped at the chance to join in the show entitled O Extravaganza! He is writing original material and will also appear on stage.

The production, to have two performances, is in three sections. Old Age, under the direction of Bill Sheat, will recycle some treasures from Extrav's glorious past and probably include the traditional male ballet.

Middle Age will revive some characters from Extrav history in new material, under the guidance of George Andrews. New Age is, naturally, almost all new, with Deirdre Tarrant holding the reins.

Roger Hall was already a well known figure in Wellington theatrical circles in the 60s, as both a writer and performer, when he received a last-minute request to produce an Extrav — the original plans had fallen through.

The result was One in Five. "Because of the short notice it had to be a show with a small cast, just five members" he said. "I wrote most of it and performed it with John Clarke, Dave Smith, Cathy Downes and Steve Whitehouse. It turned out to be very successful, and ran for three seasons."

Asked whether it was true that Extravs tended to be in dubious taste, Hall said that was one of its points.

"This was before TV, and these were the only outlets for satirical stuff, where we could be rude and use the odd swear word. People knew what to expect, though some who came along were shocked nevertheless. Now there's no point in doing that sort of thing, because people can see it any time on TV and in films."

Bill Sheat is preparing photocopies of some Extrav scripts and programmes — masterpieces from 1950, 1955, 1958, 1960, 1963 and 1967 with titles such as Hollandaze, The PAYEoff, Vat '59 and Well Fair Laddie.

Looking through old programmes for Extrav reveals a remarkable number of names now well known in many walks of life. One cast list for the male ballet gave a few names and added: "The other members of the ballet are worried about their reputations and desire to remain anonymous."

The Extrav reunion kicks off at 6.30 pm on Friday July 16 with a conversazione in the Waterloo Room of the St George Hotel. Saturday morning and afternoon will be devoted to rehearsals and catching up with old friends. The atrium in the Union extension will feature displays of nostalgia, and two "devastating performances" of O Extravaganza! are scheduled for 4.30pm and 8.30pm in the theatre, with audience participation encouraged. Tickets ($22, or $17 for members of the Alumni Association) are available at the State Opera House or from the Alumni Relations centre.