HELENSVILLE MUSICAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 26 June 1912, Page 3

HELENSVILLE MUSICAL SOCIETY'S CONCERT.

One'of the most successful concerts eyer held in Helensville was given on Friday evening last in the Forester's Hall, by the Helensville Musical Society, when, in spite of the inclement weather, the large Hall was packed from floor to ceiling by an enthusiastic audience. The concert opened with the Glee^ "Maiden of the Fleur de Lys " (Sydenham), which was excellently sung, as was the Glee "Sleep Glentle Lady" (Bishop), which was given later in the evening. The balance of voices was as near perfect as possible, even large Societies seldom surpassing in this respect; and the singing reeflcted great credit on the Society, and proved the painstaking work done by the Society's able Conductor, Mr J. E. Page. Two quartettes were sung —the first " Drink to me only," (arranged by Smith), being given by Miss F. Donovan, Mrs Page, and Messrs H. W. Stringer, and J. C. Rimmer. The air was taken by Miss Donovan in her usual finished style. The humming chorus accompanment by the other voices, being very effective. The song is one of the old time English favourites, so old indeed, that all trace or record of the Composer's name has been lost in the mists of antiquity. The words are by Ben Johnson, and Smith's arrangement of the song is very tuneful. The other quartette " Hail Smiling Morn," (Spofforth), was sung by Misses A. Simcock and H. E. Ganley, and Messrs J. H. Harvey and C. S. White, and was very pleasingly rendered. Misses F. Donovan and J. Little sang Wallage's famous duet " Sainted Mother" from Maritana. The voices blended beautifully, and roused the audience to great enthusiasm. Solos were given by Miss M. Eimmer and Mr H. Drower. The former gave " The Song the Angels sing " (Wheeler), with violin obligato by Mrs Page, in a most artistic manner, and in reply to a vociferous encore, responded with the evergreen favourite, Tosti's

" Goodbye." It is unusual for two such exceptional voices as Miss Rimmer's and Miss Donovan's to be found in one Society or even in one town of the size of Helensville. Mr Drower, who

was in excellent voice, sang " My

Pretty Jane " (Bishop), and received a decided encore to which, however, he did not respond. This will probably be MrDrower's last

appearance on the concert platform in Helensville, as he is shortly leaving the district for "' Fresh fields and pastures new." His departure means a great loss to the Society and to music lovers

in general, with whom, by his

willingness in always giving his services where required, as well as by his quiet and courteous demeanour, he has become deservedly popular. At the end of tho Concert part o* the programme there was an interval of 10 minutes folio-wed by the Farce. "A Breach of promise Case " by members of the Musical Societ} r. The play was under the stage management of Mr. H. W. Stringer, and very well mounted. The scene is a Supreme Court room, the plot being an action for damages brought by Miss Janet Eoperin against Mr Pelharn Dudeling for breach of promise. The Jury find for the defendant, with an award of }d to plaintiff as consolation for tho shock to her system. Taking the

witnesses in the order in which they

are called, Miss. J. Little, as Janet Eoperin filled this difficult part excellently. Miss Little is an actress of considerable merit and we would be glad of an opportunity of seeing her in a piece where she has more scope for her abilities. Mrs J. L. Stewart, as Mrs, Eoperin, hit off the character to a %< T ", and both in dress and borgue one could see and hear the irate Irish lady, " again the Guv mint", law Courts, and everything else. Tommy Eoperin, the irrepresible and volatile small brother, the sort of being Punch describes as t; l'enfant terrible*' was very creditably presented ly Master Stanley White, who also took the part of " Wall Sing Wun Lung," tho heathen Chinee, sentenced for

oruelty to a cow,< Sentence was passed on the Celestial while the jury were deliberating on the Breach of Promise Case, and he swore (in Chinese, of course) at the Judge with great realism and excitinent while be-* ing led away by the police. Mr. J. F-.' Lambert, Jr, as the defendant, Dudeling, gave an excellent rendering.of the part, and his various facial explosions while the different witnesi^jJ.were giving, evjdenco against and'.'fe'ir-Jkina were effected without appa'r|n^RfSoi't. Miss F. Donovan gave a v^ei^jfirue representation of the rath^^it Susan Singleheart, the defenddn|tk^i.o claimed to . have re-ceiyed^s-nipst affectionate glances. There was howevgr not.>-much scope in;.tlifi part;- Of■ tliq other characters in order of legal preV^eilce, Mr. J., H. Harvey's interp^afitin;d.i ,' the/ Judge Bunkum was^^astle^^: 1 exposition, and was evidcß?l^;^oa'4:s|ilt pi v close study of the pars.,;ap'd' offeer. The two sbarristers,/|n%'Hon AJolnhus Noodib. 1& Q^fOTTthir, pi u.itffi ; and Obadihhvpy^foi^tke Sconce, were r^resllioriiessig H, I$V Mere-, flith dm^^B^W^Li' respectively, The H^^B^^V "^ long: winded exJ^^^^^^^B>tional character,

lties with groat naturalness ; Mr Sly on the other hand does not indulge in any unnecessary verbosity, but his sharp incisive questions mark him as a clever lawyer, and Mr White was quick to grasp these. Sergeant Hubbub, the Court Usher, had an excellent exponent in Mr F Le Grrice, whose man. aer in reeling off the form of oath as if it were one word, (and quite unintelligible at that) was the very ideal of the policeman in Court. The other parts were minor ones and having little to do. That of the Registrar "was taken by Mr J. E, Page, and that of the Foreman of the Jury by Mr H, Drower. Altogether the piece was a great success and the local hits Avere woll received. There was none of that nervousness which is sometimes apparent in amateur plays, though several of the members required to speak jrp louder

We are informed by the bnciety s Secretary that the operetta '' Princess Chiysanthemurn " will be performed in about two months. The music, scenery, and dresses in this work should prove a big draw, and another first class enterainment should result,