GOOD CONCERT

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32304, 25 August 1943, Page 7

GOOD CONCERT

FUNCTION IN COROMANDEL REPERTORY THEATRE PATRIOTIC FUNDS AIDED The Caledonian Hall at Coromandel was packed to capacity on Friday, August 20, when the Coromandel Repertory Theatre staged a concert in aid of patriotic funds. The Coromandel Silver Band opened the proceedings with the National Anthem followed by a march. Next on the programme was a oneact play “The Spinsters of Lush,’’ which was very amusing and exextremely well acted, the cast being the Misses T. Darling, J. Deeble, S. •Benham, V. Davies, J. Ecclestone and D. Corrie. The play was a short comedy of the Napoleonic times, about 130 years ago when skirts were longer and tongues were just as long. It depicted how one of the spinsters looking from the storeroom window saw a friend of hers walking with a male in a meadow, unattended! As the story unfolds it finally turns out that the maid at the friend’s house had borrowed her mistress’ red cloak which, being the only one of its kind in the village of Lush, was recognised by the said spinster.

The costumes were of the period and the wearers of them are to be congratulated for the very excellent portrayal of the characters. This play was produced by Dr. Frank and Dr. Edna Birkinshaw.

A short, modern play, “A Rogue in a Bed,” was very well acted by Mr R. Hawley, representing an old man who had lost the use of his legs and was confined to his bed. However, he made quite a few shillings by fortelling future events to those who came to see him and in some cases these forecasts did not turn out as they should have, and in one instance the wrathful patrons arrived with a Coffin and all complete with ropes and. spades to bury him. However, he consulted his charts and cleverly got out of a very tight corner by predicting more forecasts which came so near the truth, that the company fled in a panic. Two more short plays, “Wrong Number,” „and “Sold For Two and Sixpence,” were very amusing and the cast are to be commended on the very fine way they carried out their parts, the memorising of which entailed many hours of concentration. The cast included' Misses S. Benham. M. Gamble, Janet McLellan, Myra Potae, Mary Hannaford, Rene Pepper, Mrs M. Ruthe and Messrs R. Hawley, Eric Gamble, Noel Strongman, Alan Ruthe, Harold King. Dances and Music The second half of the programme was opened with the march “Invercargill,” played by the band. Original dances were given by Miss Doreen Smith of Auckland and were enthusiastically applauded. The Kennedy Bay Maori 'Concert Party concluded the concert with several items, including choruses and- hakas and proved as popular as ever. The band was under the direction of Mr A. McNeil '(bandmaster). The stage manager was Mr R. Hawley. The electrical, arrangements and effects were in the charge of Mr J. Strongman and Miss L. Evans was in the box office. A dance in St. George’s Hall followed the concert and a very large crowd attended. The music was supplied by Mrs Lucas and Lee Perfect and extras were played by Mrs A. Evans, Mrs D. Stewart and Mr A. Ruthe. A tasty supper was provided and served by the members 1 of the Patriotic Sub-committee. Dancing continued until 2 a.m. The proceeds of the whole evening’s entertainment was in aid of patriotic funds.