SAVAGE CLUB'S KORERO

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 294, 31 August 1918, Page 10

SAVAGE CLUB'S KORERO

A CAPITAL ENTERTAINMENT

Onco a year, sinco the war broke out, tlto Wellington Savage Club lias come before tho public of Wellington to display, in the cause of the patriotic funds, tho talent its ranks possess. Of its manv members fourteen havo "gono West" and a hundred havo gone forth to do their dutv for King and country—a- uroud record which is always remembered with pride at this time of the year' when the club makes it annual effort to raise money for patriotic purposes. Tho entertainment aiven in the Town 1-1 nil was that pleasant concoction of cood music, Rood sinning, and light and airy raillery, which the club knows so well how to serve up. The vocal forces were particularly strong. Savage Hugh AVright, the veteran baritone, * sang Blumenthal's "My Foe" in good style, and was recalled. Savage Frank Charlton always sings his best in operatic music, and his delivery of "Eri Tn," that line solo from Verdi's "Un Ballo in Maschera," was one of tho gems of tho programme. Savage Charlton correctly senses the meaning of the bitter lilies, and his tone was resonant in timbre and sympathetic in quality throughout. Ho was encored, and sang "Out of the Mist" (Sanderson). Savage G. Austin Blackie, the possessor of a pretty light tenor voice, almost alto in texture in the upper register, made a. favourable impression immediately in Lnndon Ronald's "Vrolude," in which a rivulet of song emerges uncertainly in a meadow of symphony. "Lorette" was a much better song, and the singer treated it with marked artistry. Recalled again Savage Blackie gave an original reading of "Mary of Argyle," singing the eharming old Scotch ballad with commendable simplicity and charm. "Danny Deever" (Homer) is a gruesome stave for a social evening, but it was most forcefully sung by Savage Len Barnes, who sang "The Fldral Danco" as an encore number. Tho chorus (conducted by Savage W. Foster) sang with spirit the deep-sea chanty "Who Sails With Drake?" and had to supplement it with the more fragile part-song "Every Bustling Tree." In the sphere of comedy Savage Albert llussell has few superiors in the club. He sang the comic ditty "J'm One of the Deathless Army" with great gusta, and, when recalled,' submitted some very funny verses parodying "Good-hvee" internationally most comically. It is seldom one hears Savage Norman Aitken in serious recitation. His "By the Yukon Trail" (Milton Hayes), a savage bit of melodrama from _ the frown nor'west, was given plenty -of colour, and " 'Ercules," the encoro piece, ' was feelingly topical of tho times we live in. The delightful harmonies of Sir Arthur Sullivan were pleasantly recalled by the wood-wind quartets, "Madrigal" (from "Tho Mikado"), and "Tower Tomb" (from "The Yeoman of the Guard"), played bv Savages A. J. M'Donald, V. B. Willis, A. F. Barnes, and B. Yeatcs. Tho piece de resistance of the first half of the programme consisted of "three shows in ono"—a pianoforte solo by Savage W. Foster, a clever conjuring performance by Mr. R. R.. Oakley, and a lightning sketch in coloured chalks, by Savages King, Bastings, and Kelly. Whilst the music entranced and the conjurer mystified, the three artists laboured skilfully on three canvasses, which, when joined together, made a really splendid. cartoon entitled "Bridging the Atlantic." This graphically represented the manner in which our sailors have cleft for the American troops a pathway across the ocean to France, uio centre arcli of Mm bridge, across which tho troops are marching, being supported by the sinewy arms of a sinning Jack Tar. The idea was a capital one, and the completed picture was loudly applauded. l'ue second half of the programme was devoted to "i\a 1W (an old friend in a nowqyguise), in which a struggling sculptor has to produce a masterpiece in order to win the lady of his adoration. Failing tho requisite skill he employs his man Trotter to pose as Alexander the Great before the dim-visionect eyes of his would-be father-in-law. The situation is frankly farcical, and Trotter, in the hands of Savage llussell, was "a scream." Savage Wl H. L. Cooper was the sculptor; Paul E. Latham was admirrjbio as Old Spindles; Savage F. G. iiviss was his beautiful daughter; and Mi-. Norman Aitken made a broadly comic landlady. Tho Savage Club's orchestra (under Savage H. M'Comish) played a couple of bright selections during tho evening. The accompaniments were played i.> Savage Frank Thomas. The members of the Spinsters' Club sold sweets and programmes for the cause. During an interval Chief Savage A. W. Newton expressed the thanks of the club to the audience for their presence, and said that this was the last year tho club was likely to give a formal patriotic concert, for next year, when the war would bo over, 'they would revert to those social "ladies' nights" that were so popular with everyone. On behalf of the club he thanked the Mayor for remitting the charge for the use of the hall. He said that every shilling realised by the entertainment would go to patriotic funds.