Variety show ready for a spring concert
Spring is here and that means it’s also time for Pauline de Lira’s annual variety show.
This year’s show is being held a little later than usual, on Wednesday October 24.
The show’s format includes a variety of dance and music items from The Gaiety Girls, The Special Dancers and local singers and musicians.
Pauline and dance partner Val Veitch, known as The Gaiety Girls, will perform dance items All That Jazz from Chicago, No Business Like Show Business
from Annie Get Your Gun
and a number from A Chorus Line.
The Special Dancers are performing Wooden Heart
from GI Blues, Never On a Sunday and Stayin’ Alive.
Interspersed with the dance items will be songs from local vocalist Douglas Short who will sing three Elvis numbers. Douglas also performed at last year’s show and Pauline says he has really come out of his shell.
“He just gained so much confidence and the audience loved him last year.”
The other show vocalist is new. Samara Tanja, 15, has just sat her Trinity College of Music exams and jumped at the chance to be included in the show. She will be singing three songs. Douglas and Samara will be accompanied by Margaret Flack on piano.
Another newcomer is Pauline’s newest toy poodle Keepa, who will be joining Pauline’s dog Kasper on stage. While Kasper has been a staple guest at Pauline’s annual show, this will be Keepa’s first appearance and Pauline says she’s not 100 per cent how he will manage.
“Keepa’s fine at practice but I’m a bit worried when the curtains open and he sees all the people he’s likely to get up and walk off the stage.”
Swaying and shaking their way onto the stage will be the Mirage Middle Eastern Dancers, with fellow dancers Faye and Robin Moore giving a rock and roll demonstration. The afternoon will be rounded off by afternoon tea provided by St Paul’s Church.
The variety show is an annual fundraiser for the Special Dancers and Pauline says learning and rehearsing the dances provides a goal for them to work towards.
“It’s about providing opportunities to get experience for the special dancers and young singers.”
■ Pauline de Lira’s Variety Show runs on Wednesday, October 24 at 1.30pm at St Paul’s Union Church hall, corner Tamamutu St and Rifle Range Rd. Tickets $5 including afternoon tea, at the door on the day.