NAVAL CONCERT

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1934, Page 3

NAVAL CONCERT

CANCER FUND BENEFITS

Bright entertainment was provided in the Conceit Chamber of the Town Hall last night by the ships' companies of H.M. ships Dunedin and Diomede. The concert was in aid of the Wellington branch of the British Empire Cancer Campaign. The programme opened with a hearty chorus sung by the company, and this was followed by a duet for ukelele and guitar, played by Messrs. Laffety and Gould. A humorous sketch, "The Sage Way," played by Messrs. Fox and Kellian, was' very amusing. It depicted a bachelor applying for a wife at a matrimonial agency. A trombone solo by Petty Officer Boyce was appreciated, and he was recalled for a further item. After some humour had been provided by Marine Hurst in a sketch entitled "Ain't It Nice," > the stage-was cleared for chair tricks and cutlass swinging by Petty Officer Darlison and company. In the chair tricks the performers clearly demonstrated their athletic ability. Two baritone solos by Mr. Bennett were applauded, and a further humorous sketch, "The Coffee Stall," by Messrs. Steele, Hodgson, Fox, and Hurst proved- very popular. The company showed that Maoris are not the only ones who can supply a haka; Leading Stoker Milnes and company gave what must surely be one of the most enthusiastic hakas offered in Wellington for many a day.

(Following the interval, Messrs. Kellett and McNicol, attiued in appropriate costumes, proceeded to mystify the audience with a series of illusions. These included a "rope trick" and the charming of a very doubtful-looking snake. More humour having been provided, the stage was cleared for the most popular item of the evening. This was a hornpipe by Messrs. Firth, Green. Hogan, and McClennghan. Petty Officer Darlison provided the music with his whistle, and the whole performance was a big "hit." An exceptionally clever turn was an exhibition of "bloodless surgery," when an unfortunate sailor was apparently hacked to pieces by Professor I. Cutsan and his assistant Clarence. Petty Officer Fox sang two popular tenor numbers, and Petty Officer Darlison, besides giving two numbers on his whistle, recited a humorous monologue, "The Underworld of London." Messrs. Sfceele and Hodgson again, were called upon for humour, and this they provided in an item entitled "An Altercation." After a hula dance had been presented by Messrs. Laffety, Gould, and company, the curtain was finally rung down following a hearty chorus. . .-..-.