"CHARLEY'S AUNT" CLUB

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 201, 14 May 1918, Page 7

"CHARLEY'S AUNT" CLUB

A CHEERFUL ENTERTAINMENT. Still another entertainment "for the cause that needs assistance." With the 'advent of winter, new life has been inJused into patriofe enrjenvour by way of cheery entertainments, and that given by the "Charley's Aunt" Ch;b in aid i;f the Tress baby fund (for tlm Red Cross and Ued Jersey appeals) at the Grand Opera House last evening calls for ):o;i----ourablo mention. Tiio reputation cf the club ensured a. large audience, and that Iks long programme was hugely enjoyed «as evidenced by rhs many insistent en- '.•:-,;•".»'. T'b'i n.-fit part of the eiitcH.nnn'.ent r.o'isisti'd of a concert programme coni'ri I'll ted to bv members of tho club. Ai'ti'i , an overture by (he orchestra (under Mr. F. WflKswig), Mr. Thoni.is 'i'visigle sang the bu'lind "Until" (Sander-

■son), and was honoured by a recall, j Miss Hnrdingc-Miiltby, who has claims ! U> elocutionary distinction, recited ft bit ! of humorous Australian veive,■ entitled • "Urot'Uerly Love," . descriptive of the manner in which the Red Cross parcels for tho boys at tho front are merrily annexed by any bit of animated khaki, irrespective as to whom they may be addressed to. There was fine sentiment in her recall piece, which dwelt tenderly with the subject of a war-time good-bye. That talented comique, Mr. Albert Russell, told Levinsky stories with rich Yiddieher unction, and mado a hit in his parodies on "Good-Byce," which was supplemented by a vocal burlesque on the serial picture "The Perils of rauline." Miss .N'esta Carwoll Cooke contributed a lively Dutch dance (in costume) to the jingle of "Miss Hook of Holland" music, and Miss' Rubv Scott contributed an amusing monologue- descriptive of tho foars of a spendthrift wife when threatened with pa-in-law's anger. Mr. Len Barnes gave a spirited interpretation of the Toreador song from "Carmen," and, when recalled, sang for the first time a tender little eonglet, entitled "A Request" (composed by Mr. Frank Wolfgang, of Wellington). One of the com 1 - edy hits was made by Mr. W.' W. Crawford, whoso strong comedy sense is reinforced by his contortionists altitudes and eccentric dancing. His song about the Military Service Board was a spasm of real humour. Mr. Montague Gilmour sang "On With the Motley" (from "I Pagliacci"), which calls for a fulj mea-1 sure of passionate dramaticism. His light tenor was heard to better advantage in the protty lyric which followed Miss Evelyn Marsh, in scarlet arrayed, executed a sort of "Fury's Danco" to tho eone music of the final movement of "Peer Gynt" suite, and Mr. and Mrs. J. i Culford Bell suffused agreeable humour I of a homely ohnractcr in the comwlv i skotch, "Tho Sunbeam." " j

The second part of (he entertainment , was a study in palo pink and "blue-file colours of "The Choeros," who insist on the silver lining idea, and labour pleasantly to that end in music, song, and story. Tho setting was distinctly artractive, and as the performers were 1 ali in good spirits, a happy result was achieved. The contributors to this piirt of tho entertainment were Mis 3 Ellen Miller, Miss Eileen ]sriscoli, Mrs. \\iur<" I Birch-Johnston, and Messrs. No-man A;ikon, Albert Russell (jester n- chief), W. W. Crawford, Charles Moort, and G Austm-Blackie. Miss Ethel Tracy presided at the piano. , The accompanists to the concert pint of the programme, we.ru Jlwj Madeline. Web!, and Mr Frank Thomas. Mr. .N. Aitken kagcnsaiiaged efficiently, valuable aid be-in-μ-tvcn by Mr. J. M'Kenna imd his staff ami Mr. A. Deiiticb (who controlled the l: 6 'nt!ii« effects;. A number a; young ladies, umiej the control of Mosdamcs Earle, Gotidii, uad Darling, sok! delectable homs-mi-do sweets, flowers, am!'programmes in of j he , only cause that matters. The Pre&s Committee cxtonAed Re special thanks to vhe performers und aiso to tho J. 0. Williamson Company, who through Mr. Bert fioyle, gave tha ~s u <>t the Opera House free, enabling n,-,c lically the whole of thu takings" to '» a direct to the good cause. °