SOLDIER TALENT

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 52, 25 November 1919, Page 2

SOLDIER TALENT

* —. ON THE STAGE AND PLATFORM HOW THE WAR DISCOVERED GENIUS : The war has been responsible for the development of a great deal of good vocal, dramatic, and mimetic talent among the men that went forward in the hour of the nation' 6 need. This was mostly the result of the. men being forced io find their own amusement for those times when they were out of the trenches, at bases, or in camp in England. As tlio result some excellent little companies were formed for the entertainment of their comrades in arms, and so wonderful was the tonic effect of . such entertainments that companies wero organised under official, authority, and- through this means promising talent was developed in several directions by members. .Among these companies were tlie "ICiwis," one section of which performed reftularly at Sling Camp" in England, and the other operated behind the lines in France, and also gaye. performances at the bases, and even in Paris. The late Lieutenant Dave Konriv. of Wellington, was an original Kiwi, and it is known (hat London managements offered him po'st-war engagements on enticing terms. iHe was only one of several, whose talent -attracted wtious attention. Mr. Sheldon Gardiner, now on the West End' (London) stage, was a "Kiwi," and the fact has chang-' ed the course of his life. Mr. Stanley Lawsori,' the attractive soubrette impersonator of the "Diggers'" Pierrot's, 'was' the merest boy amateur in Dunedin before tho ivar, but he'returned to New. Zealand a polished "lady"' diseuse who ticklcd audiences immensely, and has -been referred to as the Maoriland Julian El tinge, (the famous American la'dv impersonator), 'with offers ' of. a professional career thrust npon him everywhere he has appeared—in France, Panama, and his native' New Zealand.' Another remarkably finished lady impersonator—this lino ~of business was the' outcome of necessity with the digger shews—was Mr. Stuart Nelson, of Wellington, of the "ICiwis," who quietly reI puined work in .s\ Wellington bank a few months ago. after a wonderfully sue-' censful "career" on the boards. It is a pity tlmt such talent should l:e hidden. Another Wellington soldier who achieved real distinct'on at Home, and of whom his native city knoiVs nothing, is Mr. Fairfax Jones, who went forward with the Canterbury Regiment (Sixth Hoinforcement), and whom, report says, luis developed into one of the best baritones this city has produced. For some time Mr. Jones sang as a member of the Sling Concert Party, which entertained many tens of thousands of "diggers" onthe Plaius of Salisbury during the dark days-of war. For a time, Mr. Jonee fulfilled an engagement at tho London Collisoum, and "diggers" report that lio was a "lingo go." He wisely studied under the best masters, and he relume to London next year to fulfil an engagement. in grand opera at Covent Garden. Incidciitallv, it might b» mentioned that the "Kiwis," pretty well as constituted during the last year of war, arrived home by tiie Anaw-a a few days ago,' and contemplate a tour of the Dominion at an early date.