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This item features an interview with performer Eddie Hegan.
He recalls meeting step-dancer (tap-dancer) Pat Rooney, and tells of how he became interested in dancing and vaudeville entertainment. Later, he set up a dancing school in Christchurch. He says he thinks he was the first in New Zealand to teach tap-dancing. He also taught character dancing and Spanish dancing.
He speaks about his early life in Belfast during the Troubles, and the move to New Zealand in 1919 with his family. He also recalls his involvement in touring entertainment shows in New Zealand.
He speaks about the facilities, halls, and stages for show business in small-town New Zealand at the time, including one time he performed in a garage on the West Coast. Often there was no seating for the audience, so people brought their own.
He opened the dancing school in Christchurch in 1931, which ran for ten years. He speaks about his students, including two All Blacks - Morris Dickson, and Dennis Young. He goes on to talk about his involvement with the Kiwi Concert Party.
The interview concludes with Eddie commenting on his life at present - he says he has never enjoyed himself so much in his life.