Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld. : 1933 - 1954), Saturday 18 November 1939, page 10


TURNING STAGE TO ICE

Preparations At His Majesty's

Mr. C. N. Pugh, a refrigeration engineer from England, arrived yesterday to make an ice skating rink on the stage of His Majesty's Theatre for

the opening production of 'Switzer-land' next Saturday. This, it is claimed, will be not only the first ice stage in Brisbane but the first ice skating rink here. Mr, Pugh has with him four engineers, who have accompanied the show from England to Africa and Australia. Their job is to install and keep the stage frozen for the duration of the season. The plant weighs five tons, and the stage of ice will measure 40 by 60ft. There will be five miles of piping. Only recently, by improvement in refrigerating machinery, has it become possible to present a show on an ice rink as part of a theatrical entertainment. The stage is covered by a flat tank, carefully packed with insulating material and watertight canvas lining. The tank Is half-filled with water and chemicals, and the freezing Is begun by the attached plant. Then a fine spray Is played on the surface for hours. Finally, there is a solid, frozen block. Heading the ice show are Phil Taylor, champion skater, and Megan Taylor, his daughter, world champion amateur, who has become professional, and who will appear. with the company in Brisbane. One of the chief virtues of the show is said to be its humour. This 'is sprinkled freely among the skating of Eddie Marcel, a polished comedian. An interlude of vaudeville acts, while the ice is being recoated, introduces a comedienne from oversea — Connie Graham — and Russell and Marconi present an . amusing musical turn. The booking opens at Palings on Monday morning.