PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1607, 7 September 1916, Page 3

PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

■ A SPLENDID SUCCESS. The Patriotic* Concert, in aid of the Naval Heroes’ Dependents’ Fund, held in the Coronation Town Hall on Thursday night, was an unqualified success. Before S o’clock practically every available seat in . the hall was occupied and.the atuli- ' enee marked their appreciation of the programme with hearty outbursts of applause, and in a number of eases recalls were demanded. Prior to the performance, the Borough Band played a number■ of selections outside the hall, which added to the pleasure of the public. The concert, opened with . a-spirited overture, “Village Blacksmith,”hy Mr Betty’s orchestra (Miss Cook first violin, Mr Gahites second violin, Mrs Osborne double bass, Mr Moorman

Hate, Mr A. Ebbett cornet, Air Betty baritone, and Miss Betty pianist). The orchestra also rendered another well-balanced selection, “Sentinel,” later in the evening. The curtain rose on a gay scene, depicting a company of charmingly attired pirrots and pierrettes, who broke into the chorus, “Here

we are, here we axe, here we are again.” A portion of the company was grouped at the hack, while the chorus girls had a roving commission, . and their gracfnl movements added an attractiveness to the scene. Miss Grant, who possesses a sweet voice, gave a very nice interpretation of the song, “Sympathy,” accompanied by a well-balanced chorus. Airs Freeman, with her mixed company of children, rendered the “Kerry Guards.” The audience fairly bubbled with delight at the military movements of the little ones who entered into the singing and marching with childish delight. Aliss Bryant excelled herself in the singing of “There’s a Long, Long Trail,” introducing a sympathetic, touch to the wording, the chorus adapting themselves to, the refrain in rythmical cross line movements. This was one of the host items ot the evening. Air Jane introduced a humorous setting in Hie song, “Pack up Your Troubles,” and the audience asked for more, Aliss Signal’s soulful rendering of “Sunshine of Your Smile” must have pleased the ear of the keenest critic, and was another star item. “Why do they call me Archibald?” was Mr Hornblow’s humorous contribution, the encore verse and chorus having' allusion to local borough requirements. The evergreen “Caller Herrin” was sung in good stylo by Airs Teviotdale, and called forth a welldeserved ovation. Air Nisbet made his debut before a Foxtou public, in rendering of the song, “W hero Aly Caravan has Rested,” and made a good impression upon the audience, the chorus work in this song being very good. ■ Air Goldcr cre-

ated quite a furore with his unties in the singing of “Any Rugs.” He was u well-got-up “coloured Coon," unci entered into the song with grout gusto. Miss Kenipton prefaced her very nicely rendered song, “Luiigli und Sing,” witli a daintily executed skirt dunce. Miss Signal and Mr Hornblow sung the duet “ Our Harm” in a very pleasing manner. Mr Aitken got a line reception for his singing of “Go to Sea,” as did Mr# Aitken in “Ship Ahoy!” Air W. Hooker looked a, typical JackTar as lie sang “The Lad of the Man-of-War.” Air Guilder contributed in good voice “Heroes and Gentlemen." The sketch by Airs Kerr-Hislop and Airs Freeman, set - ting forth the machinations of a fortune teller and her dupe was a clever performance nicely staged, and very naturally acted/ keeping the audience in a simmer of merriment from start to finish. Ragtime choruses opened the “cafe” scene. The company were all on the stage, some seated at small tables, others chatting and moving about unconventionally, while prettily costumed girls acted the parts of waitresses. The scene was very attractive. Airs Guilder’s item, “Come Sing to Ale,” with the quartette chorus (Aliss Grant, Alessrs Golder and Guilder) called' forth a great outburst of ffpplause. Air and Airs Aitken- won a great ovation in the duet “Not that sort of Person,” a particularly line performance, and the scene Jiuished with the song “Here’s a Health’ by Airs Freeman. The National Anthem brought a very successful concert to a close. Compared with other similar concerts, Tuesday night’s effort was the best from a spectacular point of view. The movements of the choruses was an improvement, and the chorus girls did line. There was not nearly enough body, however, in the chorus work, many being in the picture but not in the singing. The solo work, while good, was not up to the usual standard . In one or two cases the words of soloists were

' practically inaudible to those oei cupying back seats. The acoustic properties of the hall are alright provided the singers are well forward on the stage, but immediately they get back the sound travels up to the grid instead of out to the audience. Singers should remember, too, that clear enunciation is essential to the success of any song. This cannot t be done unless the mouth is opened. - The dresses and grouping were very artistic, and the performers, one and all, looked splendid; In ’ this latter connection we must not overlook the good work of Mr Larkin. We are asked to thank All Saints’ Vestry for the use of schoolroom for practices, Mr W. Smith and Town Hall staff, Messrs Stiles and Matheson for decorations,

Alcsdamea Preston and Waters, Misses F. and I. Robinson (sweets stalls), Mr Freeman, Mr Belly’s Orchestra, Borough Band, Mr Col-

lins, Misses Cook, White and Signal, for playing accompaniments) and Mr -las. Ross, who generously paid for the hire of the hall.

The following are tin* names of those who took part in the choruses : Mesdames Healey, Kellow, A usl in- Johnston, Harvey, Misses Lenihan, Berthold, Bryant, Grant,' Hare, Pearson (2), McEwen, Robinson, P. MeMurray, Thompson, King, Price, Moxham, Fraser, Ross, Robinson, Messrs Kellow, Clarke, Claris, Pearson, Signal, Haynes, Thompson, Jane, Nisbet and Bullard.

In conclusion, Mr Aitkon is to be heartily congratulated, together with Mrs Freeman, for the splendid success of on? of the brightest little affairs yet produced in Foxlon, and which will lie remembered with pleasure for years to come. It is anticipated that £SO will he handed to the Naval Heroes’ Dependents’ Fund as a result of the effort. Mr Aitken was stage-manager and conductor, while Mrs Freeman managed and supervised the whole of the wardrobe arrangements.