AWAKERI CONCERT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 16, 26 May 1939, Page 5

AWAKERI CONCERT

HIGH CLASS ENTERTAINMENT

BIBLE STUDENTS EFFORT All roads led to the Awakeri llnll last Wednesday evening when one of the finest! concerts .seen in these parts for many a long day took place before a delighted audience. Promoted I in the interests of .the Presbyterian | Bible Class, the event was one of the most successful in the local calender and reflected the greatest credit on those responsible for its staging. In this respect th e work of Mrs E. Arthur Belj must not l?e overlooked, for it was mainly due to her untiring efforts and keen enthusiasm that such a splendid programme wa>s presented. The hall was- packed and as a result the districtLwide effort to raise funds for the purchase of the Bible Class campsite at Ohope will benefit substantially. Special attention had been paid to the staging, a,nd the effect in ajll instances was pleasing in the extreme. Very beautiful settings were created as backgrounds for the items which reached a high standard of excellence and revealed not a little local talent to which the district had hitherto been oblivious. A pleasing feature was the presentation to Mrs Bell of a beautiful bouquet oy little Beverley McDonald. The programme opened with a musical tableau "Rendezvous'' presented by a talented group of young performers who complete with wigs, and old English costumes gave a very graceful interpretation of a quaint old worjkl theme. Mrs Bell was soloist in this portrayal and those taking part were Misses Beverley McDonald and Noetic McGougan, and Mac Bell and Allan Luxton. They are to be congratulated. A pleasing vocajl solo by Miss L'Anson was warmly received, hsr songs being ''When Song is Sweet'' and ''Fairy Glade." A humorous sketch ''The Bloaters" followed. This was staged by the Bihjle Class members and was exceeuipgly popular, and included a, caste ol' the following Misses N. Luke, L. Baird, Dulcie Cjlaris, H. Bell ? R. Flavell and Messrs Don Moore ami Bruc c . Bell. The fo|lk uance 'Jlufty Tuftv' was presented by the juniors who received well earned appfcuse. One of the evenings highlights was tile duet by Mrs Bell and Mr Fididcr who gave a fine rendition of the well known and beloved old song 'Hunting Tower!' A further Scottish flavour was lent by a spirited exhibition of the Seann Trubhais, by Mrs Put Power. was supplied by Piper Johnson. Following a short interval the I( 'e_ ond half opened with a number of Darky choruses, sung by a dclapidat.. Ed gang of dusky gentlemen;, in all shades of ancient apparel. These were thoroughly enjoyed by the audience especially the lively, interpretation of 'Playing on the o|ld Banjo.' The work of Mr Jack Graham as leader was really excellent. The Awakeri quartette (Mrs Cowie Miss Hal|l, Messrs Feilder and Jenkins) sang the beautiful ballad song 'The oars are Plashing Lightly' and for their popular encore number. 'Londonderry Air!' It is to be hoped tlhey wijll be heard again soon on the platform. A clever sketch 'The Dutch Doll' included Misses A. Cleland, R. Sli:;w and Messrs Ray Moore and Jim How. at, in the caste. This was fujllv appreciated by those present, and was followed by a further Highland number—a dance (The Fling) by Mrs Pat Power. The concluding items were a series of spectacular tableaux, which were in themscjlves outstanding contribiH tions to a ver\ r fine entertainment. The first-portrayal was entitled 'Temptation' and was enacted by Mrs Maunder Miss H. Bell aind Miss A. Cleland. ' The following were Faith Hope and Charity, the principals in seach instance being Miss Kerr, Miss H. Bell and Mrs Maunder. 'The Sign of the Cross' was another very effective scene given by Miss Beljl and Mrs Maunder. The whole impress'on in each instance was most telling and fu»ly appreciated. The singing of appropriate hymns by the quartette, during each enactment added further to the general effect. The concert concluded with the general assemblage of all performers on the stage and receiving the warm, est applause of all present.