CONCERT PARTY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4833, 22 May 1925, Page 2

CONCERT PARTY.

SCOTTISH LADIES’ PIPE BAND. A REAL SCOTCH NIGHT. A novel entertainment was presented to a fairly large audience at the Gaiety Theatre, Paeroa, last night by the Australian Scottish Ladies’ World Tour Pipe Band and Concert Party. Th© novelty of a ladies’ pipe band i’> Paeroa attracted great attention in the streets yesterday afternoon, when the band marched from the train, and doubtlessly a much larger audience would have been present at the entertainment but for the heavy rain th.vfell during the evening. The performance on the whole was good, and met with a hearty reception. Collectively, the company ig very good, and the difficult marches and steps which were executed while playing the pipes were very enjoyable, and reflected great credit on the tuto’, Drum-Major W. Darwin, F.R.G.S./wh') incidentally is manager of the band and takes a lion’s share, in dispdnsing the programme. Individually, tne members of the..band were perhaps not quite so acceptable, and some of the vocalists appeared to lack the finish that might be expected from n touri'.’g concert party. However, many of the items were bright and clever, and drew well-merited applause. Th? dancing of Pipers Gertie Oliver tied Jean Madson was particularly well done, and revealed faultless and graceful work by both girls. Drummer Leura Bates proved herself to an elocutionist of no mean ability, and her rendering of “A Wefe Scotch Night” brought down the house and she was recalled a number of time'. Drum-Sergeant Layburn was bewildering in the clever way she could swing the drum-sticks and manipulate the bass drum, and her unique work was heartily encored. Drum-Major Darwin, who is managing the tour, and in addition to being bandmaster is also a composer of songs, gave vocal items and an exhibition of staff-swinging which were much enjoyed, and he was compelled to respond to the rounds of applause- Although not in the limelight, the sympathetic and able accompanying of the different items by Mrs W. Layburn was one of the features of the entertainment.

The members of the band, twenty in nunibeh-, all claim to be Australianboin, and that they are proud of inc fact is exemplified in the number of songs and patter about their native land. The company anticipates again visiting.Paeroa later on in the year, when they can be assured-of a. hqarty welcome from the public,