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Show Talented BYU group returns, gives Utah show Demand was so great to see the final show of the world-circling world-circling "Curtaintime USA" cast of BYU that the performance perfor-mance was moved from the Fine Arts Center to the TTield-house TTield-house and was free to the public, pub-lic, Monday. After the performance the cast and special visitors will be guests of President Wilkinson Wilkin-son at a garden party at the president's home on campus.- Under sponsorship of the U. S. Department of State, the group of 25 talented young men and women left on their tour February 18, and performed perform-ed their wholesome, fast-moving variety show in 13 Middle-Eastern Middle-Eastern nations to cement international in-ternational relations. Their greatest accomplishment was to boost the impression abroad of American youth. Gary Lawrence, Law-rence, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Lawrence of Springville, Spring-ville, was a member of the group and wrote his impressions impres-sions of the countries visited in weekly articles to the Springville Herald. The show visited Ceylon, India, In-dia, Nepal, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Afghanis-tan, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Turkey, Tur-key, Greece, Lebanon and Jordan. Jor-dan. Their final stop abroad was in Vienna, where they performed per-formed in the world of music festival. They added several shows for missions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day ISaints. Briefed on the history, customs, cus-toms, politics and protocol of the host nations, the students also participated in forums, luncheons and receptions with kings, ministers, ambassadors, educators and students. A highlight of the tour was the three-hour visit with Jordan's Jor-dan's youthful King Kussein I. The show was such a smash hit with his people, the king asked to meet the American visitors. They assembled at the residence resi-dence of the U.S. Ambassador Robert Barnes with a crowd of notables including ambassadors of six nations, half a dozen cabinet ministres, princes of the royal family and other officials. of-ficials. Diplomatic ice melted as the young collegians sang, danced, chatted with the king about horses, automobile racing and the job of a king. Next day messengers came bearing gifts of watches and gold brocaded jackets, necklaces and bracelets brace-lets for the Americans. The Jerusalem Times reported: report-ed: "The 25 members are one of the best investments of the U.S. State Department, for its net crop of love, friendship, and peace is greater than any U.S. money or arms deal could gain." It was like that everywhere. In Egypt the students made a special visit to an ailing gov- ernor; he was moved to tears In Greece they entered in i good-natured dance contes with Greek students. In Tur key a symphony orchestr: leader told them they perform ed better than the Russian; who preceded them, and tin people knew it. Their smiles broke the lan guage barrier in Afghanastan and students came from 301 miles in Pakistan to questioi them about American customs In Ceylon city workers wen on strike so they could see thi show. |