ORPHANS' CLUB

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 17, 15 October 1918, Page 8

ORPHANS' CLUB

"LADIES' NIGHT." The annual custom of the Wellington Orphnas' Club to devote at least one evening in tho season to the entertainment of the ladies is perhaps the least the club could do to compensate for the ruthless manner in which it lures the inale Orphan from his hearth and home of a Saturday night in winter time. That the concession isappreciated was evident from the very large attendance at the Town Hall last evening, when the Orphans set out to entertain the fair sex. The hall was decorated with bunting and highly-col-oured devices, and the guests were ac commodated at small tables a la cafe chantant, and yet for a Bohemian club the Orphans took their pleasure somewhat sadly for the first half of the entertainment. A capital little orchestra Under Orphan H. Mpscliini played tho overture "The Enchanted Cup," and in reponse to the plaudits played the Intermezzo from "Cavalleria Rusticana." The Glee Party sang the old Christmas glee, "King Out, Wild Bells," tho tenor solo being crei itably sung by Lier.t.-Colonel T. Hunter. Orphan C'ulford Bell recited a deeply stirring poem entitled "Tho Guards Came Through," an incident of the great battle of 1914 before Hill 70 Mr. Bell acquitted himself admirably. He recited, as an encore that amusing episode descriptive of a "Tommy's" feelings on receiving the V.C., which is full of real humour. Then Corporal Goramell sang. There are cool depths and uueasured sweetnesses in his softer tones, but exerted to its fullest power his voice becomes a trumpet blast, and it acted in the sams manner on the audience last evening. Corporal Gem mell sang "The Pagan" with rare feeling, and treated "Inter Nos" and "Mother o' Mine" with fervent artis try that aroused storms of applause. Orphan Harold Godier played a couple of organ solos behind the scenery, and Orphans Tracy and Rawlinson, in a blaze of electric light, showed in a very striking manner what physical training on scientific lines is capabln of accomplishing with the humau frame.

After an interval devoted to social intercourse and light refreshments, the orchestra played a selection from "You're in Love" as a giddy prelude to tho Merry Musical Nautycality. "H.M.S. Perhaps," an extravaganza in which light and airy humour and more or less joyous song took liberties with tho discipline of tlio battleship Perhaps, commanded by Admiral Treatie (Mr. William Gondie). The chief fun-maker was Orphan P. W. Everett as Sammy, the cabin boy, who will flirt with the Admiral's wife, and is the marine equivalent to ( the village idiot. Mr. George Clapham was Lieutenant Meow, and Mr. A. 6. Wallaco scored as Mayor Take, who inspected the crew, and incidentally made several local "hits" with his allusions to current events. Orphan 11. Mcates was the Quartermaster, and as such sang "The Floral Dance" and "The Gallants of England." Orphan Herbert P. Wood (secretary of the club) sang those two musical comedy ballads. "I Like You in Satin" and "Love and Laughter," which he sines with graceful ease and charm. Others who took part in the burlesque were Orphan George Peek (Lady Treatie), Alf. Suencer (the coalman, who gives a lot of slack), Orphan B. M. Sims (steward). Mr. Harold Godier accompanied efficiently.

Among those present were His Excellency the Governor-General, General Hen'rlereoi), and the Mayor and Mrs. Luko.