The Cast

The production of an Extravaganza is no easy Job, especially when you realise that there are about eighty people taking part, and at least double that number as "back room boys." Once again Huddy Williamson reigns supreme as stage manager. The music director. Is Garth Young, but just as "Salient" was going to press the news arrived that he is seriously ill in hospital, and it is very doubtful whether he will be up in time for the opening night.

Special congratulations must go to Jim Hutchison the chief author of "The Suckers." There are some really witty scenes and unfortunately the blue pencil had to be applied rather heavily. But the [unclear: final] result is sure to please most people. Peggy Thom is looking after the wardrobe and although we have not had the chance to see any of her creations we are promised some really elaborate costumes. It seems that the male ballet will provide a lot of scope for Peggy's imagination. In one scene, for instance, they are all to be attired as flowers. Each member of the ballet is to be provided with Marilyn Monroe dimensions executed in kapok.

Rosemary Lovegrove has the lead as Ophelia Jane. After his success in last year's Extrav. It is not surprising that Dennis Brown has the male lead as Claude Among other members of the cast are Derek Homewood and Tony Ferrers as Holy Keith and Sempleton respectively. These two are really outstanding and are screamingly funny. They both have a wonderful sense of comedy anil unless we are very much mistaken, will steal the show.

Pat Christie has a big job on her hands to try and instil grace into the men's ballet. But for her, the conversion of burly footballers into fragile flowers has become a habit.

The Plot

As usual, the plot for "The Suckers" is really only a foil for numerous wisecracks and songs. But Jim Hutchison han produced quite a complicated plot for us this time with a sub-plot as well. The sub-plot concerns the love affair of Ophelia [unclear: Jane,] one of the world's unwanted women and Claude, an intellectual type. The chief plot is about a raid on Hellington by a band of pinitos led by Captain Sidd. Various escapades follow but we don't want to give the show away.

Bill Sheat tells us that the show piece of the whole Extrav is the opera performed by the [unclear: Australian] Opera Company. The opera is called 11 Lavatore. Its topical theme is the Petrov sensation. It transpires that the important papers Petrov has stolen from the Russian Embassy are surplus toilet papers Maestro Peter Crowe is in charge or the orchestration. Judy Beaumont sings the part of Mrs. Petor and [unclear: Bruce] [unclear: Ross] as Generaloff. The opera concludes with Joe McCarthy shooting every one off. The opera is presented in the authentic grand opera manner, complete with cembalo accompaniments to the recitatives.

Scenery

Huddy Williamson has elaborate plans for the scenery. Act I is centred in front of Parliament Buildings, complete with [unclear: statue] of Dick Seddon. But Huddy's pride and joy is a huge Sound Shell which will actually be erected on the stage.

Another impressive set is staged outside the Town Hall and we believe that the colonnades are going to be the real thing if the stone is available.

Bill Sheat has got a good team to work with. "Salient wishes them luck, and we believe that, like the last 10 years [unclear: extravs,] 1954's is going to be "the best yet.