Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 19, 2019 20:32:33 GMT 12
I always find the social side of the RNZAF as interesting as the operational side, and particularly in the wartime years. This is an interesting one, a revue was put on by RNZAF Station Wigram in 1940 to raise money for the National Patriotic Fund. Sounds great!
The above advertisement appeared in The Press on the 4th of April 1940, and so did the blurb below:
On the 6th of April 1940 this was in the Press:
And then after the first performance, this appeared in The Press on the 8th of April 1940:
The above advertisement appeared in The Press on the 4th of April 1940, and so did the blurb below:
“HAPPY LANDINGS”
AIR FORCE REVUE ON SATURDAY
Ballets, musical items, and sketches will be presented in “Happy Landings,” on which, for a considerable time, members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Wigram, and a number of talented artists have been working. The assisting artists will include Miss Peggy Holmes and her ballet; a D.I.C. revue party, Ailsa Crompton, Ray, Neal, and Adam Stein. The revue will be presented at the Theatre Royal on Saturday and Monday nights and is in aid of the National Patriotic Fund appeal.
It is the first time a production of the size has been attempted by the Air Force station, and this will be the first time one of their productions has been presented to the public. About 75 Air Force members will take part in the various items, and the variety, humour, and fun introduced in the interludes and acts ensure that the production is one worthy of every support. One of the features will be the presentation of items by the Air Force station’s orchestra of 14 players. The Commanding Officer, Wing Commander G. S. Hodson, and Flying Officer T. M. de Lange are mainly responsible for the work in the production of the revue.
AIR FORCE REVUE ON SATURDAY
Ballets, musical items, and sketches will be presented in “Happy Landings,” on which, for a considerable time, members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Wigram, and a number of talented artists have been working. The assisting artists will include Miss Peggy Holmes and her ballet; a D.I.C. revue party, Ailsa Crompton, Ray, Neal, and Adam Stein. The revue will be presented at the Theatre Royal on Saturday and Monday nights and is in aid of the National Patriotic Fund appeal.
It is the first time a production of the size has been attempted by the Air Force station, and this will be the first time one of their productions has been presented to the public. About 75 Air Force members will take part in the various items, and the variety, humour, and fun introduced in the interludes and acts ensure that the production is one worthy of every support. One of the features will be the presentation of items by the Air Force station’s orchestra of 14 players. The Commanding Officer, Wing Commander G. S. Hodson, and Flying Officer T. M. de Lange are mainly responsible for the work in the production of the revue.
On the 6th of April 1940 this was in the Press:
“HAPPY LANDINGS”
AIR FORCE REVUE FOR THEATRE-ROYAL
For some considerable time the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Wigram, and a number of talented assisting artists nave been busy rehearsing for their musical revue, “Happy Landings,” which is to be staged in the Theatre Royal to-night and on Monday. Patrons are assured of a great entertainment. Rehearsed to perfection, the show will be non-stop from beginning to end, with variety, fun and frolic. As this is a national patriotic appeal, no stone has been left unturned to see that “Happy Landings” comes t 6 the public' as something really worthy of support. The box plan is at the D.I.C., and the prices, reserves, are 4s and 3s, without tax. The gallery is 2g unreserved.
AIR FORCE REVUE FOR THEATRE-ROYAL
For some considerable time the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Wigram, and a number of talented assisting artists nave been busy rehearsing for their musical revue, “Happy Landings,” which is to be staged in the Theatre Royal to-night and on Monday. Patrons are assured of a great entertainment. Rehearsed to perfection, the show will be non-stop from beginning to end, with variety, fun and frolic. As this is a national patriotic appeal, no stone has been left unturned to see that “Happy Landings” comes t 6 the public' as something really worthy of support. The box plan is at the D.I.C., and the prices, reserves, are 4s and 3s, without tax. The gallery is 2g unreserved.
“ HAPPY LANDINGS”
AIRMEN’S MUSICAL VAUDEVILLE
OUTSTANDING SHOW AT THEATRE ROYAL
Few locally-produced stage shows have enjoyed the enthusiastic reception which greeted “Happy Landings,’’ the musical vaudeville presented by members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Wigram, at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. Rumours of an amazing collection of talent at Wigram have been current in the city for some time, and the many people who have waited anxiously for the first stage appearances of these versatile young men were by no means disappointed.
Enough novelties and brightly-presented acts were contained in the programme to satisfy the most fastidious of those who look for something new. Produced and directed by men of the station, the show also contains items by assisting artists, including Miss Peggy Holmes’s ballet and girls of the D.I.C. Revue.
Music by the station orchestra, conducted by Aircraftsman F. C. Seymour, introduced the opening scene by "The Crew,” and a bright crystal gazing act by Warrant Officer J. E. Duncan and Leading Aircraftsmen H. E. Cundeil and A. H. Chapman. These three, assisted by Miss M. Carwell-Cooke also gave another amusing act, this time an unfortunate domestic scene, later in the programme.
So enthusiastic was the,audience in its support for the humorous songs at the piano by Aircraftsman E. A. Munson that it was loath to let him leave the stage after three encores. With all the assurance of an experienced professional, he amused the house for some minutes. Dancing by the ballet and a solo dance by Miss Holmes interspersed these items.
Perhaps the most popular of the items given by assisting artists were the songs of Miss Ailsa Crompton, whose charming voice and stage appearance would be hard to surpass. She sang one song while sitting in a long swing decorated with coloured lights.
"Now fly merrily along to the strains of music” were the words used in the programme to introduce Aircraftsman R. A. Neal’s piano-accordion solos, which included a difficult rendering of a Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody.
A tribute to the New Zealanders serving in the Royal Navy was paid by men from the station in an amazing reproduction in a dim light of the part played by H.M.S. Achilles in the engagement against the Graf Spee. The effect was strikingly produced by realistic salvoes from a gun turret, and imaginary commands.
Wing Commander G. S. Hodson, officer commanding the Wigram station, appeared on the stage, heavily disguised, with Flying Officer T. M. de Lange, in an amusing sketch.
It is to be hoped that the support given by the large audience to these and other items by the station dance orchestra, Miss Billy Addis, and Miss Beryl Stacey, will be encouragement for the producer, Leading Aircraftsman B. O’Neill, and those associated with him, to attempt further successes. “Happy Landings” will be presented again to-night.
AIRMEN’S MUSICAL VAUDEVILLE
OUTSTANDING SHOW AT THEATRE ROYAL
Few locally-produced stage shows have enjoyed the enthusiastic reception which greeted “Happy Landings,’’ the musical vaudeville presented by members of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Wigram, at the Theatre Royal on Saturday night. Rumours of an amazing collection of talent at Wigram have been current in the city for some time, and the many people who have waited anxiously for the first stage appearances of these versatile young men were by no means disappointed.
Enough novelties and brightly-presented acts were contained in the programme to satisfy the most fastidious of those who look for something new. Produced and directed by men of the station, the show also contains items by assisting artists, including Miss Peggy Holmes’s ballet and girls of the D.I.C. Revue.
Music by the station orchestra, conducted by Aircraftsman F. C. Seymour, introduced the opening scene by "The Crew,” and a bright crystal gazing act by Warrant Officer J. E. Duncan and Leading Aircraftsmen H. E. Cundeil and A. H. Chapman. These three, assisted by Miss M. Carwell-Cooke also gave another amusing act, this time an unfortunate domestic scene, later in the programme.
So enthusiastic was the,audience in its support for the humorous songs at the piano by Aircraftsman E. A. Munson that it was loath to let him leave the stage after three encores. With all the assurance of an experienced professional, he amused the house for some minutes. Dancing by the ballet and a solo dance by Miss Holmes interspersed these items.
Perhaps the most popular of the items given by assisting artists were the songs of Miss Ailsa Crompton, whose charming voice and stage appearance would be hard to surpass. She sang one song while sitting in a long swing decorated with coloured lights.
"Now fly merrily along to the strains of music” were the words used in the programme to introduce Aircraftsman R. A. Neal’s piano-accordion solos, which included a difficult rendering of a Liszt Hungarian Rhapsody.
A tribute to the New Zealanders serving in the Royal Navy was paid by men from the station in an amazing reproduction in a dim light of the part played by H.M.S. Achilles in the engagement against the Graf Spee. The effect was strikingly produced by realistic salvoes from a gun turret, and imaginary commands.
Wing Commander G. S. Hodson, officer commanding the Wigram station, appeared on the stage, heavily disguised, with Flying Officer T. M. de Lange, in an amusing sketch.
It is to be hoped that the support given by the large audience to these and other items by the station dance orchestra, Miss Billy Addis, and Miss Beryl Stacey, will be encouragement for the producer, Leading Aircraftsman B. O’Neill, and those associated with him, to attempt further successes. “Happy Landings” will be presented again to-night.