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| William Larnach's 1887 Ballroom and now to become a Cabaret Venue, taken pre-1935 [Credit Miss MTL Watson / GenFram Image Archive] |
This Continues my eight part Blog Series on the Purdie family ownership of Larnach Castle. To Read the First Instalment in this series please click HERE.
Announcement Extraordinary!!!
Larnach Castle Will Not be Closed!!
In my last Blog, Larnach Castle would be "definitely closed to the public". Therefore, the above bold proclamation in a newspaper advertisement of the 27th February 1937 would have come as a pleasant surprise.
The Year of the Larnach Castle Cabaret, 1937
A helpful information board within the Castle informs us that;
"While on an overseas cruise [actually only Mrs Purdie], the Purdies rented Larnach Castle to Bob and Vera Sinclair for a year. They [in turn] approached their friend Gwenda Burt with a proposition of running the tea rooms, showing visitors through the Castle and running a weekly cabaret".
Thus Miss Burt, a well known and accomplished Dunedin contralto singer, lover of opera, thespian, and dare I even add movie star, agreed to take on the daunting task of being the Castle Hostess and would, during this period, live onsite. The same newspaper report quoted above states that Miss Burt planned a; “unique decorative scheme” along with a twice weekly cabaret and that; “We shall expect to have something in keeping with the dignity and charm of the old Larnach home”.
I am devoting a whole post to this new enterprise as I also found this period in the many layered history of the Castle incredibly fascinating. And, as you will read, I found Miss Burt to be a most interesting and talented lady and it will become obvious why I have devoted part of this post solely to her. And of course, Mr and Mrs Purdie were, during this period, still the registered owners of the property with their household possessions remaining onsite.
The Castle Now Open Daily - Except Monday
The Castle would now open daily 2pm to 5pm except Monday, the entrance to the grounds, including a "dainty and different" afternoon tea, being 1s 6d while admission to the Castle would be 1s extra. Busses conveying visitors would continue to run from Dunedin. The whole of the "lower sun balcony" would now be converted into a “Modern Café" [including] the Cabaret in the Ballroom “with exclusive features”. A “general lounge” with separated dressing rooms on either side, also with a well-appointed supper room using practically the whole ground floor. The Ballroom and café would also be available for "special functions". The [old] Billiard Room on the 1st floor, and with a full sized table, was advertised as being "ideal for men's parties!".
The Saturday evening Cabaret, being "evening dress only", would cost 10 shillings for a double ticket with a more informal Wednesday evening "dress optional" dance being held during the Summer months at a cost of 5 shillings. Supper would be included in the entry fee.
The Cabaret Opening
The report of the opening Cabaret at the Castle, being held on Saturday the 20th March 1937, is eloquently described;
“More than a little curiosity was aroused in the new venture, and the crowds of dancers who left the misty atmosphere of the garden for the warmth and brightness of the brilliantly-lighted rooms had still to make up their minds whether or not the new venture was to be a success.
At the close of the evening, however, the general verdict was
decidedly optimistic, and it is more than likely that the weekly Saturday
cabaret and Wednesday informal dance will be more and more popular with hosts
and hostesses to whom the idea of entertaining their guests by means of a drive
already well known all over New Zealand for its beauty, in conjunction with a
dance in ideal surroundings, makes an instant appeal.”
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| A Publicity Photo of Miss Gwenda Burt when playing Miss Sophia Uprington in New Zealand's First Sound Feature Film, 1935 [Credit : Hocken Collections] |
“Miss Gwenda Burt, who is acting as hostess, is already well known to the Dunedin public for her work in the Operatic Society and on the amateur stage, and no better choice could have been made. On Saturday she wore a smart gown of floral marocain, and proved herself equal to the many emergencies that seem to occur on these occasions.
During the evening the lights in the ballroom were lowered and, dressed as a gallant of the eighteenth century, Miss Burt entered, carrying a branch of lighted candles and escorting Miss Audrey Baker, who was dressed as an eighteenth-century lady, to the piano, Miss Baker then playing ‘To a Miniature,’ the words of which Miss Burt sang. During the song four more gallants, with their ladies, paced into the hall and danced a minuet, the song, dance, and general effect being particularly appropriate in the stately surroundings of the castle.“
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| A Larnach Castle and Cabaret advertisement dated 24th March 1937 [Credit : The Otago Daily Times] |
Miss
Burt’s Varied Cabaret Entertainment
Cabaret evenings would thus normally commence with pianoforte, singing, and dancing for the benefit of the assembled guests with Miss Burt herself, and always suitably dressed for the part, ably featuring in the singing. Dancing on the sprung heart kauri floor would follow. All music and entertainment would, however, be in keeping with the historic surroundings of the Castle. Locally trained dancers, including women and younger girls who were members of local theatre, singing, ballet and dancing groups, including many still under instruction from their teachers, would regularly entertain Miss Burt's guests.
The term “Cabaret” should however not be construed with the racier
entertainment that might be held in a European 1930’s burlesque style cabaret
club. Orchestral music, pianoforte, singing, dancing minuets (a ‘stately’ dance in triple time), ballet, and classic
and modern ballroom dancing were, for Miss Burt’s Cabaret, the order of the
day.
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| Cargill's Castle, Dunedin & Venue for the Rival "Cliffs Cabaret", taken late 1920's, [Source : National Library of New Zealand] |
A
Choice of Cabarets in Dunedin
Advertisements proclaim Miss Burt’s enterprise as being; “New Zealand’s Finest Cabaret”. The popularity of these evenings were such that the newspaper social columns even noted the names of many who were in attendance. But it should be noted that competition for patrons was fierce with the rival “Cliffs Cabaret” (established in 1932) held at Dunedin’s other ‘stately’ venue with its own ballroom (the now semi-ruinous Cargill’s Castle sitting on a cliff top promontory above St. Clair), and the “Moonshine Cabaret” (established 1933) in the former “Eldorado Dance Hall” at 213 George street (where McDonald’s are now located).
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| A second Publicity Photo of Miss Gwenda Burt when playing a Leading Role as Miss Sophia Uprington in New Zealand's First Sound Feature Film, 1935 [Credit : Hocken Collections] |
The Great Popularity of Dancing
There was, at this time, a wide variety of opportunities for the public to regularly partake in public dancing, the hugely popular Saturday night Town Hall dances (which regularly drew over 800 patrons and with the music often broadcast live on radio) being one example. “Good floors” [i.e. well sprung floors designed for dancing], popular ‘named’ dance bands, and even proprietary sound systems were now used as a selling point.
But the ‘Cabaret’ style, although coming at an added cost, offered an additional form of entertainment, and along with the usual dancing, would normally be provided within a more intimate venue. And for those who were willing to pay a premium, the Larnach Castle Cabaret clearly sought to provide a memorable and themed evening of entertainment, often evoking a former age, and clearly catering to those patrons who desired a more sophisticated form of entertainment along with traditional – and requisite ballroom type dancing.
Notorious for its Debauchery
This was opposed to the popular and latest dance numbers and jazz music generally provided by bands performing at the “Cliffs” or “Moonshine” Cabarets or in fact a multitude of public halls around Dunedin. And Miss Burt’s upmarket and refined Cabaret would surely never be compared to the Cliffs Cabaret; “which became notorious for its debauchery during the Prohibition era”, with alcohol being able to be bought from a “secret room” leading to various Police raids (I quote the Cargill's Castle Trust website here). While alcohol was able to be purchased elsewhere, these clubs were unlicensed "dry" premises and patrons could not legally bring alcohol with them.
While "beer" is mentioned by Miss Burt in a diary she kept at this time (which is noted on a Castle story board), this was in relation to staff over inbibing and drinking "all the beer" on hand to the extent that they became intoxicated. I am assuming that this alcohol was kept solely for in-house use and private functions (perhaps the "men's parties" referred to above) and that tea and coffee, would surely have been the strongest drinks (legally) offered to Miss Burt's Cabaret patrons. At any rate, the premises were, however, still unlicensed.
I see that in 1938 the "Cliffs Cabaret" offered "Accredited membership only" events which was a way to get around the strict licensing laws, thus becoming a "members only" private club so that alcohol could be consumed, but 'supposedly' not sold, on the premises. This is most likely the period referred to above on the Cargill's Castle Trust website. Although the Magistrate expressed some sympathy for the Proprietor he would still be fined £5 for allowing alcohol to be consumed on unlicensed premises. This illustrates how fraught these times were for those wishing to indulge in alcohol consumption on unlicensed premises. This whole subject could truly make for a Blog post of its own.
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| A Larnach Castle "Cabaret" advertisement from July 1937. The "Southland Night" alludes to Southland playing for the Ranfurly Shield in Dunedin on the afternoon of the 31st July 1937 so there would have been many out of town visitors. [Credit : The Otago Daily Times] |
Come
and Listen to the Test Match
A novel way to entice guests to visit Larnach Castle took
place on the 14th August 1937 when guests could listen on the
radio to the Springboks v. New Zealand Test Match live from Wellington. A
reliable short wave radio signal would not be hard to pick up from that
elevated position, the self-same reason that the local 4YA Radio transmitter was
placed along Highcliff Road.
“All
Good Things Must Have An End!”
The Cabaret “Season” would end with a “Final Gala Night” on the 25th September 1937 and the advertisement, “All good things must have an end!” certainly indicates the finality of this enterprise. The final gala night would end with a flourish, a regular dance band being employed, perhaps as a concession by Miss Burt to modern tastes and preferences although traditional dance numbers would have been the order of the day.
If the Cabaret had been a financial success for Miss Burt, and indeed the Sinclairs (who were the Castle lessees), I cannot say but I hope that she felt that her very hard work in establishing, planning, co-ordinating, and running such as enterprise had been validated. I am aware that the afore-mentioned diary of her time here exists as this is quoted in a Castle history board. Thereafter the café and Castle remained open daily except Mondays. But having only been a set term lease of the property this would sadly be the final mention of a “Cabaret” at the Castle.
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| A Striking Portrait of Miss Gwenda Burt, From a published photo, July 1946 [Credit : The Otago Daily Times] |
And What of the Talented Miss Burt?
It is a great pity that while Miss Burt played a leading role as Sophia Uprington in New Zealand's first "Talkie" (i.e. sound) movie, "Down on the Farm" filmed in 1934, only brief incidental footage of her survives out of the few very short fragments that are held today in the Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision Archives. If you're interested, she appears briefly on the very right edge of the screen between 2.00 to 2.09 minutes into this film fragment but unfortunately there is no sound footage of her speaking:
Down on the Farm, 1935 [Clickable Link which will open in a new window].
Thankfully, a number of professional publicity photos were at least taken, two being featured in this Blog post with the upper photo being her costume in the above brief film shot. Miss Burt's name would continue to be frequently mentioned in succeeding years in connection with singing, theatrical and repertory productions, sketches and reviews in which she took an active role. She would also be noted in the 1940's for her comedic roles and amusingly, for her, "excellent male impersonation roles" which illustrates the great breadth of her many artistic talents. In 1946 Miss Burt would win the playwriting competition organized by the Otago Area British Drama League for her work; "On the Lap of the Gods" but also wrote and produced "Hallow-e'en at Brig-O-Dene" for a 1948 Burns Club production which would, appropriately, be presented, at Halloween. I have not been able to locate any obituary for her.
A Visit With "Gwenda"
In the course of my Blog and research writing, strange and serendipitous things quite often happen but I found this one rather spine tingling and most definitely took me by surprise. It was only one week ago that, having completed this "Castle Cabaret" post some time ago, I felt compelled to research and write a very brief resumé on "Miss Burt" as a final tribute to round off what I had previously written about her time at the Castle. But to my complete surprise, here I am writing about Miss Burt and thinking what an interesting person she was then, after noting her last address, it suddenly dawned on me that in 1994 I had in fact had the great priviledge of personally meeting and being entertained by Miss Burt in her own home at Somerville street in Anderson's Bay. With no airs or graces about her, I had just remembered her for all these years simply as "Gwenda". Having accompanied a mutual acquaintance who regularly undertook work for her around her home and who thought that she would like to meet me, I was warmly welcomed, invited inside, and sat talking with her in her lounge while my collegue went about his work before joining us later although after the space of thirty years I do not recall the specifics of our conversation.
As explained below, I perceive now that perhaps not everyone would have so readily received an invitation to enter her 'inner sanctum'. While there was no doubt an air of eccentricity about her I don't mean that in a bad way and i've always truly remembered "Gwenda" as just a lovely lady. But having only recently moved to Dunedin I had unfortunately not known anything about her life, let alone the great breadth of her theatrical or musical talents or legacy.
Her otherwise standard 1930's bungalow was decorated with a quite amazing array of beautiful and expensive Dresden style porcelain, having been purchased over the years as her wages and budget would allow, being her pride and joy. As to her former employer, I understand that she had latterly worked for Charles Begg and Company Limited, a piano and musical goods retailer. I do wonder now if in fact she had been inspired by Mrs Purdie's passion for collecting fine china and her time residing at and being the Hostess at Larnach Castle? But the value of her collection was such that in the absence of any visible alarm system and no doubt also for her own personal security, all interior doors had been fitted with locks which necessitated using a little key (from memory an Allen type key) which she carried about her to access areas of her home, locking the doors behind her. Thinking back now, I believe she may have had something on her wall alluding to her association with repertory but our memories can play tricks with us after so many years.
Having remained a well-known Dunedin identity, Miss Burt died in Dunedin in July 1997, aged 90 years. Her ashes were scattered at the Broad Bay Cemetery, a somewhat hidden but lovely, serene place on a small promontary overlooking the Harbour that I often visit when out cycling down the Peninsula. Miss Burt desired that her death not be advertised until after her cremation (possibly due to security concerns for her home) and also that her age not be mentioned in her death notice but I feel that having reached the age of 90 years this should now, after all these years, be celebrated, including her great accomplishments in life. Thank you for the memories Gwenda.
Next week we shall read of the Purdie's return to the Castle. But this period in the Castle's history would also be full of surprises.
To Be Continued Next Week
This eight part Blog series featuring the Purdie family ownership of the Castle follows a more or less consecutive timeline through the highs and lows for this period. I will add a link here when the next instalment is posted.
Corrections : This history has been compiled from a comprehensive range of secondary sources. Correction of any unintended errors and any relevant additions in relation to the time period in question are always welcome. Please email me (quoting your source) using the "Email Me" button in the right-hand menu bar. Thank you.
Bibliography & Sources :
- “King of the Castle” by Fleur Snedden 1997 (from my own collection)-“Larnach and His Castle” by Alfred H. Reed, 1950 (from my own collection)
-“The Ordeal of William Larnach” by Hardwicke Knight, 1981 (from my own collection)
-"R.A. Lawson Victorian Architect of Dunedin" by Norman Ledgerwood (from my own collection)
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