Entertainments

Levin Daily Chronicle, 12 July 1917, Page 3

Entertainments

THE LEVIN 1 BEAUT I FYIXiG SOCIETY'S CONCERT. "A MOST ENJOYABLE FUNCTION. Dcapito a countcr attraction in the shape of a pantomime, and also inclement weather, a ibig audicjixe gathered at the Century Hall last Tuesday night for the above conceit. The program, which had been arranged by the promoters of the very successful patriotic send-off of the previous fortnight, contained all those striking tuneful chorus numbers which proved so attractive then, with a couple of fresh choruses in addition, whilst the vocal items were without exception as (£ :od ias any heard ir Levin for a long time. The Levin Brass Band was to the fore, as usual, with its valuable assistance, and gave a number of items outside the ball. 'During the course of the concert, Mr. AY. Hughes, who filled the position of musical conductor as well as stage manager, in the course of a lew remarks briefly thanked the audience on behalf of the committee for having turned out in such numbers to assist n good cause which in this case was prncically.. a patriotic one. He also de/red to thaivk the ladies—Mrs. Cbrk, Mrs. Wallace, JMrs. CRiehtcr and Mrs. Keedwell—who had been mainly responsible for organising the concert; also the perfomers, and especially those who had" come from Otaki and contributed so much to the success of tho program. "During the singing of the chorus "Our Boys" the flag collection, \v!> ji was arranged was to be devoted to the "Trencli Comforts" Fund, realised the satisfactory sum of £3 Gs in coins thrown on the stage to the four little nurses—Misses Iris Park. Leone Hughes, Jean Thomson and A Lay White—and also gathered up around the audience by a group of Boy Scouts. The opening overture, "Norwegian. Cradle Song, was skilfully rendered by the orchestra: Mrs. P. D. Wallace, Miss Andrews and Air. Bates. Miss Winnie Walker, who followed, was well suited in her choice off songs: "Bid me to sing" and' her encore number "The "Rose," in both of whicb this young singer's sweet, clear voice appealed to tbe audience. Mr. Utile it, of Otaki. bad to respond with another piece for his singing of "Playing tbe game in the west." His extra number was "The Marquis." "Trontliam," a new chorus in which Mr. Hughes took the solo, proved to be a favorite, its references to early morning drills '-and "stews'' suiting theaudicnce, who called for more, and an encore followed. Miss Eagle ton's first selection, a dainty Trish lyric, found favor with the auditors, and slie liad to respond to a vigorous recall with "Sing to roe the old iSeotc-h songs." Mr. Toby Mahiina. of Otaki, the possessor of a fine robust voice, sang "True till death' 1 in a manner that stamped him as a singer out of the ordinary; and in response to an iin- , porative recall he followed The Carnival." Mr. AY. Thomson's lecital of "Jml Browne's account of how Ru.bensteiu played the piano" almost brought on an attack of convulsions amongst tho audience. In response to repeated calls ho related the story of "Macpherson and the whisky." Mr. Howard Andrew, of Mauakau, contributed a. fine item in "Will o' the Wisp," and although he lias not been lieard on the Levin stage for some time lie has lost none tof hi« old charms. Another particularly fine chorus,' "Laddie in khaki." was given in good style, tlie solo item being taken by Miss M. Grey in a manner that showed this promising young singer to ■be quite at home on the concert 'platform. ° Mr. D P. Porteous sang "The yeoman's wedding" in fine style, and in response to a recall gave "AVho shell 1 be king," both of tliosc items being deservedly applauded. The concluding item of the first part of the program was the tuneful chorus "AVliose Boys?" which was rendered with vim that mado the item particularly attractive. The orchestral item which opened the second portion of tho program was the melodious new "Barcarolle," the violins being particularly effective and tho audience appreciative. Tho popular and catchy chorus "Knitting," in which the whole company of young ladies were knitting as thov pang, proved particularly attractive amongst the chorus items and had to ho repeated. The solo portion of this item was taken by Sergea nt Bonnet, whose appearance 011 the stage was greeted with loud applause. Miss "At. Malcolm, who wns accompanied hv Mrs. Matthews, was heard to advantage in "Fantasia." Tins young singer has a rich mezzo voice of good training, and her efforts were keenly appreciated. Her recall number was "Life's epitome." Tho three Otaki visitors—Messrs Tahiwi, Utikn and Maliima— captured the fi'ncy of the audience with "Nellie was ;> lady," and in response to an enthusi'istic recall gave ''Good-bye Mr Johnson." but still the cry was for j morQ, and they repeated "Nellie was I a lady." I Mr. Eric Bates's contribution to tho program, a violin solo, showed him to be a clever exponent of the art of plnving this instrument. The chorus "There's a trail that loads to home'' was again splendidly voiced by the company, the haunting air of the melody proving irrefutable. The solo ljortion was ably taken by - Miss E. Clark. Mr. AY. Hughes, who had done Old friends, old books, old songs, oh: •wine. Old-fashioned folks to these incline; But as a rule, apart from such. Old-fashioned fads don't count for 'much. The old-time chemist made r--'- 1 sold His worthless dopes for cough and coJd : But sufferers now such trash adjure. Preferring Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. Advt. V

strenuous work tlie whole evening, provided the concluding vocal' item, with a fine interpretation of "The Bedouin's lovo song," which he sang in his usua.l finished style. • The final item was the striking tableau and chorus, "Britannia and her dominions," and, as previously, it' proved to be a most attractive item, the dressing and posing being very fine. Til conclusion, a word of praise is duo to Mrs R. I>. Wallace for the sympathetic manner in which she carried out the duties of accompanist to nearly the whole of the performers, and also the choruses.