CITIZENS’ QUEEN CONCERT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3530, 28 August 1926, Page 3

CITIZENS’ QUEEN CONCERT.

A good audience was present on Thursday evening, in the Royal Theatre, when a concert was given under the auspices of the Citizens’ Quepn Committee. The first portion of the programme was contributed principally by children, and proved to be very entertaining, those taking part acquitting themselves very creditably. The audience was fully appreciative, and several recalls were demanded.

The opening chorus, “Happy,” by the company, attired in dresses of red and green, was a good introductory item. The company 'consisted of Misses Mary Martin, Fay Andrew, Hazel Hinds, Connie Robinson, Ula Thomson, Margaret Barron, Ada Roore, Ngaire Dunn, Maisie McCarthy, Rosie Munn, Iris Coley and Joyce Shaw. Miss Ngaire Dunn next contributed a song, for which she received a well-mer-ited encore. Frank Cowley and Keith Powell sang together “Say it with a Ukulele,” accompanied in the chorus by the company. An oldtime song, “Stay in Your Own Back Yard,” was rendered very sweetly by Mary Martin, whose singing and style quite 'captivated the audience; she was assisted in the chorus by Hazel Hinds, Shirley Barron, Phyllis Wright, Connie Robinson, P. Martin. An encore was deservedly demanded for this item. Miss Madge Patterson; smartly set up in the approved summer attire of the modern young man, sang “Farcwalt Honolulu,” carrying out the actions appropriately; she was assisted in the chorus by the company. Jack Barrett, whose appearance was the signal for an ovation, rendered “Lullaby Land,” to the evident delight of the audience, who were unmistakable in their insistence on an encore. Jack is well known as a pillar of strength in Convent School concerts, and shows evidence of development as time goes on. Rosie Munn, dressed and equipped as a roving spirit, sang a song of Australia s open spaces, “Strolling Back,” assisted by the chorus of voices. An item much appreciated was the Russian dance, in costume, by Miss M. Scott, of Palmerston N., who had to respond to an encore. Maisie McCarthy, assisted by the chorus, sang “A Smile Will go a Long W)ay,” which was followed by a well rendered pianoforte duet by the Misses K. and C. Coley. Ula Thomson took the solo part in “Don’t Mind the Rain,” assisted in the chorus by F.- Andrews, M. Barron and A. Roore. “Tatters,” in character, by Ngaire Dunn, Avas a good item, which was encored. The coffers of the Queen’Committee benefited to some extent by the contributions of the audience during this item. Little Pearl King, in costume, delighted her audience with the singing of “It Aint Gonna Rain No More,” for which she had to respond to an encore. Massey Retter, in Boy Scout uniform, recited “Tommy Scout.” A splendid item Avas given by Mary Martin and Joyce ShaAV, “Hello, Tu Til!” in the last verse of which these tAvo young vocalists excelled themselves as Tu Tu’s Parisian lover. An encore Avas demanded. The grand finale of the children’s programme was well arranged in “Mellow Moon,” the assembled company rounding off an excellent children’s offering in good style. Each juvenile artist, including members of the chorus, Avere made the recipients of boxes of chocolates in appreciation of their items. The responsibility for the arrangement of the children’s items and the training of the voices was in the hands of Mrs M. Ross, who is to be congratulated upon the success attending her efforts, and avlio received the thanks of the Citizens’ Committee for her work in this connection.

Through unfortunate circumstances, the second portion of the programme had to be someAvhat curtailed. Apologies were made on behalf of Mrs Cooke, of Palmerston N., and the Misses Morgan, and also on behalf of Mr Corn.

The second portion opened with another well-rendered duet by the Misses K. and C. Coley, after which Miss M. Scott contributed a graceful little dance and sang sweetly “Powder Puff.”, This Avas a dainty item, and a recall Avas demanded. Miss' Madge Patterson again pleased the audience with a rendering of the song?* “Marcheta.” Mr Bert Hinds was at his best in a musical monologue, “I don’t Avant my Cigar to-go Out," a humorous item, for which lu* responded to an encore with “He’s an awfully nice FelloAV to Know.” Mr Jensen played the accompaniment. Mr Taylor avus in good voice, and also had to re-, spond to an encore. Mr C. Spring, “a young man now in his ninetieth year,” rendered a quaint old song without musical accompaniment, which pleased the audience to the extent that he had to re-appear.

Mr Yeo returned thanks on behalf of the Citizens’ Committee to those ivho had contributed towards the success of the concert, especially to Mrs M. Ross, and also the audience for their attendance and appreciation.