PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1561, 8 June 1916, Page 2

PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

A FIXE PERFORMANCE

The large audience present at Thursday night’s concert, in aid of (he funds of the Foxton Ladies’ Patriotic Guild, oxpressel their delight by prolonged outbursts after on eh item. The affair was a decided success from every point of view, and those responsible for the coaching and spectacular effects are to be heartily congratulated upon their painstaking efforts. The performers were artistically grouped on the stage, the centre, a tableau representing Britain and her Allies, lent an imposing background to Ike charming dress of the chorus girls, and (he blue and khaki of the navy and army. The choruses, with their rhythmical movements and good volume, lent colour and life to the solos. The audience marked its appreciation of the whole programme by recalling nearly every item. The concert opened with a spirited overture by the orchestra, consisting of Mr Collins (piano), Mr Simmons (first violin) and Miss Cook (second violin). The company then sang the National Anthem, Rule Britannia, Russian Anthem and La” Marsellaise. Mrs Teviotdale took the solo part of the latter. Mr 11. Signal gave l a zest to the singing of the “Empire of (he Sea,” and was equally successful in the second part with the stirring song “What We have We Hold.” Miss Kempt on in her make-up of a lad in khaki, looked and acted the part of a soldier in the song, “In the Filing Line." The singer treated the verses as a recitative', which is not an improvement on the musical setting, making it too declamatory. Miss Signal gave a capital and sympathetic rendering of the song, “Till the Boys Come Home.” Mr Hornblow introduced a humorous vein by the rendering of “We All went Marching Home Again," and in the second half told the story of how Bill Adams won the Battle of Waterloo. Mrs Freeman, accompanied by six little boys (Nelson Ball, soldier, Kelvin de Kidder, sailor, Reg. .McEwen, boy scout, Joe Lenihan, hussar. Arthur Smith, caplain of crew) correctly uniformed, showed how she bestowed her affections equally upon the various representatives of our soldiers and sailors, a very taking song which created a great outburst of applause. In the second half, the same singer got a further ovation for the rendering of "Laddie in Khaki.,' There was a line spectacular effect during the singing of this song, a gleam of light in the temporary darkness depicting a soldier standing on guard, which could not fail to stir the imagination. Mr C. Preston made his debut as a soloi-t, in a jolly Jack Tar song, “Yo ho. Little (tirls." The rollicking chorus and spirited movements of the choru- fairly brought down the house. .Mrs Guilder’s very fine and natural rendering of “Soldier Boy" undoubtedly the finest sentiment of any song on the programme, was one of the gems of the evening, which was demonstrated by the prolonged applause following the song. Our (dd favourite, .Mrs Boyes, charmingly attired in Highland costume, performed a very difficult task with credit in the rendering of an appeal version of Harry Lauder's “Wee Deoidi and Doris." The item look immensely, and during the singing of I hi' chorus a company of senior cadets, carrying tambourines, took up a collection from the audience, which resulted in upwards of iM being added to the funds. Mr W. Hooker's singing of “Motherland" created a furore. At the side of the singer a large New Zealand ensign was held by two of the choru- girls, and sealed in the folds in front was a line specimen of a bull dog, in charge of a little lad in khaki. The dog appeared quite at ease, and his yawn during the singing typified the gripping power of the boys of the Bulldog breed when once aroused to action. Mrs Teviotdale was in good voice, and made a line hit in her song. "Our Flag Never Shall Come Down." Miss Kempton, dad in oilskin overalls and sea bools, sung in line style the "Midsuipmite." Mr A. J. Kellow looked the real thing as a Jack Tar, and his rendering of “They all Love Jack” brought him a well-deserved encore. “The \ eieran's Song” was well interpreted by Mr Aitken, whoso singing is always appreciated by a local audience. “The Flags of the Allies" was a titling finale to the programme. Those taking part were : —France, Miss King and .Mrs Boyes ; Italy, Misses Kempton. Pearson, and McMurray ; Russia, Mrs Teviotdale ; Ireland, Miss Lenihan ; Wales. Miss Bryant ; India, Mrs Kellow : England, .Mrs Freeman : Scotland, Miss E. King : Canada. Miss Greig ; Australia, Miss Edwards ; Belgium. Miss Signal ; New Zealand. Miss Pearson. The Mayor. Mr Alt'. Fraser, on behalf of the Ladies’ Patriotic Guild, in thanking all who had assisted to make the affair a success, referred to the good work being done by the Guild on behalf of our soldiers. His thanks included the Borough Band, Mr Smith, manager for .Messrs Fuller and Sons, Airs Freeman and Mr Aitken, upon whose shoulders the bulk of the concert fell, and Airs Preston, who conducted the sweets stall. £ll was netted by the sale of sweets, including the sale of apron and ribbons ; £3 5s from the supper, collection during -Mrs Boyes’ song, £4 13s lOd, and the door takings totalled £4O. The following singers were the recipients of bouquets ; Mesdaraes Guilder, Teviotdale, Freeman, and the two leading chorus girls, Misses Berthold and Lenihan.

It has been suggested that the company repeat the concert at Shannon. The following are the names of those who took part in the choruses : Ales dames Kellow, Boyes, Misses McMurray (2), Lenihan, Berthold, King (2), Bryant, Cook, Rockell, Pearson (2), Price, Aloxham, Walker, Desmond, Greig, Robinson, Hare, Messrs McCall, Freeman, Cowley, Claris, Bullard, Kellow, Hooker, H. Signal, and Preston. The following ladies comprised the tableau : —Miss M. Wanklyn (Britain), Airs Greig (Russia), Airs Harvey (France), Aliss Sewell (Belgium), Aliss Burr (Japan), Aliss Edwards (Red Cross nurse). Alessrs Larking and Jewel supervised the making-up, Air * Aitken carried out the duties of stage manager, and .Airs Freeman was wardrobe mistress.