SAVAGE CLUB CONCERT.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 21 August 1919, Page 2

SAVAGE CLUB CONCERT.

A HUGE SUCCESS. After being delayed a fortnight on the way, owing to the Railway Department's ukase in regard to permits, the Savages , of Auckland descended upon Helensville^^ on Saturday evening last. Unlike tfa«p usual run of savages, the visitors* inten- ■,;"■ tions were amiable, -and perhaps the only harm they did to the communitywas in the direction of spoiling people for more entertainment on the lines of the splendid concert they gave to a packed audience in the Lyric Theatre on the evening of their arrival. In introducing the Choir, 3ro. Bartley, the conductor, explained that the programme was just the same as given at the gatherings of the Savage Club in Auckland, consisting of a widely varied selection—part songs, solos, " stunts," sketches, etc. In reviewing the entertainment, the writer does not profess to' an ability to criticise the talent of the choir. Sut mention of a few of the items which proved most popular with the audience will not be out of place. Easily the finest item of the evening was the Choir's rendering of "The Rosary," breathlessly listened to by the audience Probably the most " taking " item of the evening was the reception of the Prime Minister and " Joe " on their arrival by the Niagara. The speech from the ship's side was brimful of local hits, which at times nearly lifted the roof off, and the two artists responsible—Bros. Lillicarp and O'Malley—were given a great hearing. The selections from Gilbert arid . Sullivan also proved popular, and some of the "old time" choruses, such as " When Johnny comes marching home," and " Torpedo and the whale," went well. "Poor old Joe," a solo item by Bro. Allsop, with quartette in the distance, was tinely rendered, and the elocutionary itemo (or " stunts") by Bro. T. T. Massey, got a large amount of applause and imperative encores. Following is the complete programme :— Entrance of the choir, led by Bro. R. Massey, chanting a Maori song; ppening chorus " The merriest fellows are we," " The Royal Fusiliers " (tenors), " The man that broke the bank" (basses); duet, "Will you dance with me," Bros. Furness and O'Malley ; caorus " The Toast "; solo, "Come into the garden, Maud," Bre. Alf. Fogerty; solo and chorus "The Chafers," Bro. T. W. Atkinson; solo and chorus, "When Johnny conies marching home," Bro. Leo. O'Malley ; scene, " Little Billy and Hayseed," Bio. Lillicarp; stunt, "Our Dramatic Club," Ero. T. T. Garland -f scene, " Kind Captain," Bros. T. W. Atkinson and Meredith ; part song, "The Rosary "; double voice exhibition, " Let me like a soldier fall' and "D; inking," Bro. Smighison ; trio, " Three men they went a-hunting," Bros. Atkinson, Garland and Meredith ; duet and chorus, "II Trovatore," Mr and Mrs Fogerty; scene, " Pirates,' solo Bro. Lillicarp ; descriptive | solo " Poor Old Joe " (quartette in disI tance), Bro. Allsop ; nursery rhymes, Bro. | O'Malley; song, B:o. J. W. Atkinson; solo and caorus, ' Massa's in the cold ground," Bro. Lillicarp; solo, "In the North Sea lived a whale," Bro. R. Massey;* stunt, Bro. T. T. Garland; duet, " Rueben and Cynthia," Bros. Sorickett and Meredith ; reception of Prime Minister (Bro. Lillicarp) and Sir. Joseph (Bro. Leo. O'Malley ; part song "Comrades in Arms" and " Evening Twilight "; solo, " Maonamara's Band," Bro. T. Atkinson ; chorus, "I am the captain of the Pinafore." Encores were freely demanded, and to every demand the choir obligingly responded, so that it was after 11 o'clock when the long and most enjoyable programme came to an end. During the evening Mr Jas. Stewart (chairman of the Domain Board) stated that the proceeds of the concert amounted to over £40. As the Choir generously paid all ,heir personal expenses, the total takings will be available for the "fund devoted u o modernising the baths at the Springs.