CONCERT FOR CHARITY

Evening Star, Issue 22145, 27 September 1935, Page 3

CONCERT FOR CHARITY

VISITING ARTISTS PARTICIPATE ACCORDED ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION As tho sponsor of quality concert entertainments the New Zealand Broadcasting Board is fast becoming a serious rival to some of tho promoters of theatrical shows that have delighted Dunedin audiences in the past. Public performances in aid of charity by groups of visiting radio artists are quite the recognised thing now, and patrons have learned to attend each concert without ascertaining complete details of the programme beforehand, because they know that if tho board backs any public performance that is sufficient guarantee of its worth. It was therefore not in 'tho least surprising to find that a huge audience crowded tho Town 'Hall last night, when sin entertainment of so varied a character and of scuh general excellence was presented that the consensus of opinion was undoubtedly that it had not been equalled for some considerable time. The audience was expectant from the beginning, and it must have been extremely gratifying to the performers in turn to bo greeted by genuine applause, and, what was infinitely more satisfying, to be farewelled by demonstrations of unmistakable enthusisra. However, it was when Miss Gladys Moncrieff, the Australian musical comedy star, made her only appearance toward the close of the programme that the hand clapping reached its peak. This was Miss Moncrieff’s second triumph on the local platform in recent months. She was not previously billed to sing any specified numbers—just “ gems from her repertoire ” —and as she announced each song in turn it was greeted with expressions of delight. Her items, which were mainly from musical comedies with which she lias been associated with success in the past, were presented in that effortless manner that has been a contributing factor to her popularity for many years. Each was sung in that dulcet tone that has always appealed to the masses, while her accuracy of pitch and fascinating personality tended to further enrapture her audience. The following were her items: ‘Merry .Widow Waltz,’ ‘ Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life,’ ‘ I’m Falling in Love With Someone,’ ‘ Speak to Me of Love,’ ‘ Ciribiribin,’ ‘ Love Will Find a Way,’ and *My Hero.’ 'As at the previous concert, her accompaniments were played by the accomplished pianist Mr Gil Dech, who, much to the delight of the audience, was heard earlier in the evening in ai group of solos which embraced many of the popular hits of recent months.

The rich, powerful base-baritone voice possessed by Mr Raymond Beatty was heard early in the programme. His numbers were ‘ Blow, Blow, Thou Winter Wind,’ ‘ I Heard You Singing,’ and ‘ Shepherd, See thy Horse’s Foaming Mane.’ He enriched each with a vividness of expression that appealed strongly to the hearers. Miss Heather Kinnaird’s warm and full-toned contralto was later admirably used in renditions of the following:— ‘ 0 Sing tae Me the Auld Scotch Bangs,’ ‘ Lie There, My Lute,’ and ‘ Morning.’ These two artists afterwards blended their voices in duets which were remarkably attractive. ‘ The Voyagers ’ was their first offering, while the next, ‘ The Singing Lesson,’ presented a contrast in types. These two items, however, failed to satisfy the audience, so they obliged with a very clever interpretation of ‘ The Keys of Heaven,.’ The appearance of Mr John Robertson .with his cornet was sufficient to evoke a storm of applause, and after he had negotiated the exceedingly intricate passages of ‘ Willow Echoes ’ he played the more simple melody of ‘ Annie Laurie.’ An encore was demanded and given. • Two further items later, ‘ Russian Fantasia ’ and ‘ O Promise Me,’ allowed this performer to display his mastery of technique. Dressed in a weird -sailor suit, Mr Fred Bluett caused a laugh when he first stepped on to the stage to sing ‘ Good Ship Hardship.’ Having convulsed the audience, he then disappeared for a moment, to reappear in a strange-looking suit that 1 might easily have beeh out out with a knife and fork. ‘ Jolly Good Fellows,’ a very sad story, altogether, was his second song. Two very welcome reappearances were afterwards made by the comedian, who sang a song called ‘ Father,’ which was really a monument to all married men, while his ‘ Gold Fish * sketch proved highly amusing, being done in his own inimitable stylo. A local violinist,* Miss Ethel Wallace, charmed tho audience with her clover playing of ‘ Dragon Flies,’ 1 Parted,’ and ‘ Hejre Kate.’ The augmented Concert Orchestra, under the baton of Mons. De ■Rose, had a .particularly heavy night. This combination played a half-hour programme of tuneful selections while the audience was being seated before the actual, concert began, and beside being beard in the ‘ Don Juan ’ overture, £ A Bunch of Shamrocks,’ and ‘ Florentine Grand March ’ as contributions to the progranijnc, played a good many of the accompaniments to the songs. The 4YA accompanist, Mrs Ernest Drake, was also of value during the evening. Toward the conclusion of the programme the mayor (Rev, E. T. Cox) thanked tho Broadcasting Board for arranging the concert, which., had resulted in the sum of £l3O being taken for distribution amongst the children of tho unemployed- at Christmas. Incidentally, lie mentioned that by a similar effort last year the board had made it possible for every, eligible child to receive a two-shilling piece at tho festive season.