FOXTON CONCERT PARTY AT LEVIN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1621, 7 October 1916, Page 3

FOXTON CONCERT PARTY AT LEVIN.

The local Patriotic Concert Party repeated its concert at Levin on Thursday night in aid of the Levin Patriotic Society’s funds. The party were motored over in a number of cars, and arrived and returned without any mishap. The concert was hold in the King’s Theatre, before a full house. The-limited stage accommodation and appointments at the theatre restricted the movements of such a largo number of performers, and gave a very cramped setting to the grouping. The local Committee, however, pul. in a considerable amount of time in fixing up and draping the stage. The making-up was again in the hands of Mr K. Aitken, who was somewhat handicapped in his work owing to limited accommodation the audience at first was inclined to be critical and cold, but when the performance got into its swing, warmed up to enthusiasm, which increased as the “show” proceeded, and numerous i-ecalls were demanded. The programme was practically the same as that given in Foxton, with the foil owing except ions: A local verse was added to Mr Horn blow’s song, Mr S. B. Collins sang “Peg Away, Lad,” Miss Kempton sang Tosti’s “Good-bye” (for which she was deservedly recalled), Mr I). Knows! ub added a (dog dance (which also had to be repeated), and Mr Aitken had to respond to a double encore for his items “The Veteran’s Song” and “The Mountains of Morne.” All the performers entered heartily into their work, and everything went off splendidly.

The Levin Chronicle refers to the concert as follows : —“A programme of great merit and one that received a very line interpretation in the hands of such well trained and skilful performers. To them, those who were present last night, owe something', for it is not often such a musical treat is offered in Levin, and it is pleasant to record that Levin people showed their appreciation by attending to the extent of crowding' (he theatre, and heartily applauding each performance. Each deserved it, and this makes one diffident in mentioning , any individual performer; yet, as with the stars in the sky, some shine brighter than others, and extra vigour was imported into the applause accorded Mr J, Aitken for his singing of “The Veteran's Song,” and his singing of that pretty song “Where the mountains of Morne slope down to the sea.” And so with the amusing sketch, “The Crystal Gazer,” given delightfully by Mrs Freeman and Mrs Kerr-Hislop. Mr J. Golder in “Any Rags,” created great laughter and he found such favour that he had to repeat his song. Miss D. Signal and Mrs Teviotdale sang as prettily as ever, and Mrs Gilder and the quartette equalled the best. The chorus and ragtime singing was tuneful and catching.” The Mayor, Mr C. Blenkhorn, in a speech of thanks and appreciation, on behalf of the Levin Society, referred in glowing terms to the performance, and urged Levin to emulate Foxton’s example. He referred to the work of the Levin Society, and said •that while a good deal had been done in aid of patriotic affairs, there was still room for improvement. He paid a wellmerited tribute to Mr C. Keedwell and (hose associated with hint, viz., Messrs Matheson and Aitken and Mesdames Keedwell, Gardener, Goldsmith and Richter, for their efforts in making the affair a success. The Mayor’s remarks were carried by acclamation and cheers. After (he National Anthem had been sung (dicers were given by the performers for the Levin Society.

Although the Levin ladies had provided refreshments, Mr and Mrs Freeman kindly entertained the company, their friends, and the Levin Committee at supper in Miss McKegg's rooms, and were accorded heartv thanks.