Press Cutting – Pleasure Beach Entertainment (1963)

THE STAGE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1, 1963

Using a very large cast in impressive settings, the Ice Parade at South Shore’s Ice Drome is a colourful festival of graceful skill, comedy, melody and spectacle.

The stars bring to the show an authentic international flavour, with Continental Inge Dorn in the lead and principals Red and Jean Humphries, adagio pair skaters and Toni Congden and George Reid, personality skaters.

Fast acrobatics on the ice and superbly-timed chorus work given the whole offering zestful pace, while the well-dressed scenes allow the principals to work in with the supporting team.

A stage ballet, most ably led by Wendy Coathorpe, lends support throughout.

Notable solos on the ice come from John Dauphinais, and good work is put in by Joyce Allen, Aimee Currie, Ann Kennedy, Alwyn Gradwell, Mandy McKinley, Leonard Brown, Ricky Gray, David Mills, Claude Richard and Tommy Watson.

Outstanding on the musical side is accordionist Ralf Richfield, who cleverly contrives to involve audiences in medleys of Scottish and Irish songs.

Excellent comedy is injected into the show by Neil Hurn, John Lowery, Trevor Marshall, and Claude Zola and the Ford Sisters’ specialities are earning keen appreciation.

Presentation is by Leonard Thompson and top marks go to Bettina Merson for a smooth production of a fast and well integrated offering.

A glamorous innovation at the Casino is the Diamond Horseshoe, where, in an opulent setting, cabaret is regularly on tap, along with the food and choice drinks.