PRINCESS THEATRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 6 December 1917, Page 2

PRINCESS THEATRE.

A PMMSURAMJG CONCERT.

There was a very large attendance at the Princess Theatre last evening for the benefit entertainment promoted by the Ladies’ Musical Club, i n aid of the Westland War Fund. It was a happy audience, too, and took its fill of tin good things provided. The Musical Club did excellently. Although only formed recently, the members proved by their enthusiasm and attention to detail how earnest they were in their work. The stage was tastefully set with drawing-room decorations, and the Club members were circled round, the whole presenting a very pleasing arrangement indeed.

The company’s opening effort under tho' N bato n of Mrs S'tavcley, was the vocal march, ‘To Victory,” a rousing theme with a lilt which was reproduced with vigor by the singers. The part, s ong “Where My Caravan has Rested,” was very pleasingly sung, and the round “The Bells of Osney,” captivated the audience. “The Little Grey Home” was sung to a part setting by Lolnyand a merry musical note was struck by a Ragtime Chorus. The duet, “Spin, Spin,” (with a: vocal accompaniment) by Miss Sander s and Mrs F. Williams was a very effective number. Trios by Mesdames Staveley, do Berry and Ward were very tunefully sung: Mrs Staveley’s solo, “The Fairy Pipers,” delighted the audience and the recall was pronounced. Mr Ivo n Wilson was a s popular as ever witli the audience. On his first appearance he sang, “I Hear You Calling,” “There’s a Big Lot of Sunshine Coming,” and “Love and Laughter,” before the audience were satisfied. Later he sang (with violin aecompaniement) “For All Eternity,” and “Kingdom of My Heart.” Every effort was applauded to the echo. Mrs Ivon Wilson’s pianoforte solo was a pleasurable delight to the audience, and a recall was insisted upon. The first number was “The Witches' Dance,”, followed by a dainty rendering of a ‘fMorris Dance.” The instrumental portion was further supplemented by Mr. Farrar’s most agreeable violin solos, the audience again enjoying a treat which they demonstrated in hearijiest appftause. The (first part closed with a classic dance by Miss Moynihan, who interpreted “A S°ng of Autumn” with very graceful effect, and was encored. Miss Michel ;uu Mrs Ivon Wilson were the accompanists, and all the principal performers and the officials of the Musical Club, received bouquets and trophies of sweets front pleased admirers. A brief interval was followed by a humourous play, “Acid Drops,” representing a scene in a hospital on visiting day. The parts were cleverly taken by the Greymouth nurses. The necessary atmosphere was duly imparted to tho stage scene, and the traits of character pourtrayed were given with excellent effect. The dialogue, was a most amusing one, and the various points were brought out splerfdidly. Unfortunately the personal identity of the performers was hard to discover, as they appeared under specially selected stage-names. The three principal patients, the young lady visitor and the very effeminate curate, were all excellently done, while very consistent support was rendered by the minor characters. The audience followed the story of the play with close attention, appreciated the points intelligently, and must have helped the performers to the good results achieved. The local hit s tickled the auditors hugely, and altogether the playlet was a capital round off to the evening’s general success. At a convenient interlude, the Mayor (Mr Perry) thanked the audience for their large attendance and liberal support to a good cause. He appreciated the kindness of the visiting performers from Greymouth in. helping in the worthy work. Mr Perry spoke appreciatively of the -Musical Club, which would have the satisfaction of handing over a goodly credit balance to the Soldiers’ Relief Fund.

Subsequently, the performers and a few friends were entertained at “Garston” by Mrs Duncan, where a pleasant couple of hours were spent in very hospitable quarters. The proceedings were made merry with dancing and singing, some of the special items of the evening’s concert programme being repeated by special request.