A NAVAL CONCERT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3046, 5 April 1917, Page 8

A NAVAL CONCERT

. 9 SAILORS' AS ENTERTAINERS. At the Town_ Hall last evening a fairly large audience were entertained by a group of sailor men, styling themselves the Naval Musical Comedy Co., I ivlio wore assisted by'some good local j talent, the proceeds being in aid of tliij I funds of the Navy League. It is j perhaps a little regrettable that the entertainment was not announced a little earlier and more extensively, for the sako of the box office, but amends will probably be made 'this evening Tvhon the programme will be repeated. Interest naturally centred in tho performance of tho sailor men, who got even more fun out of the show than tho audience, inasmuch as in the sketch, "Gens, or Jack on Leave," some of tho jokes, which had a special application, wore Greek to the audi-, once. The sketch represented a jolly lot of jack tars taking their ease before- a country hostelry, and, regaling themselves with song, etory, and British ale. Mr. Val. Atkinson, who figured as Lieut. Fairweather, was a host in himself, reciting that appealing monologue,. "An Old Baohclor," and singing the patriotic song, "No Braggart Boast," in'capital style. Another excellent performance was Liout. C. J. Kelly, who as. tho crimson-whiskered Bill Backstay, told a yarn about his humble but sudden love for a girl, who proves to he the Admiral's daughter. Bonifaco,' of the "Jolly Roger Inn," was played by J. Clarke, who sang "When Britain Really Ruled 1 tho Waves" (from "lolanthe"). Tho chorus *as a .good one, but there was too little provision made for its hearty lungs by tho authors. Tho concert portion of the programme was opened by an adapted excerpt from "Tho Soldiers' Chorus" from "Faust," in which the sailore, with curious inconsiderateneaa (or was it sarcasm), sang that they were ready to die for the Fatherland (which in. the opera-means our arch foe). Mr. V. Atkinson sank "Drake's Drum," and Lieut. C. J. Kelly contributed the comic effusions, "I Had a Little Garden," and "Won't You Waltz With Me,". with ; an admirable eense of comedy. Entirely _ charming were the • contributions of Miss Teresa M'Enroe, who sang with vocal finish and spontaneity "Spring's \ Awakening," and for an encore "Believe Mβ I All Those Endearing Young Charms:" In tho second half she was again most pleasing in a delightful ballad, entitled "The Little Damosel," to which she appended that sprightly number "Wake Up." Mr. Hamilton Hodges selected tho Toreador's Song from "Carmen," "The Rosary," "Thy Foe," and "Coming Homov" A sailor's hornpipe was danced hr P. 0. Groome, and a sand jig by H. G. P. Neili. Mr., Abel Rowe sang a number of songs at the 'piano. Mr. H. Polhill exhibited an unusually powerful alto voice in "Come, Sing to Me," and Mr. Atkinson and Mr. Rowo made rather heavy weather of "A Perfect Day," as a. duet. Finally, Mr. Atkinson sang "Motherland" with a backing of lusty sailormen in shore-service attire, the effect being quite good. A, special word of praise is due to Mr. Harold Whittle, who accompanied tho local artists with a finish that was delightful to note.