CONCERT AT STOKE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 3 August 1929, Page 2

CONCERT AT STOKE

A popular concert held in the Stoke Hall this week was a pronounced success from an artistic as well as a financial point of view. The Stoke Mental Hospital staff were responsible for the programme, which contained many and varied items. Miss Mavson presided at the piano and played the accompaniments. The first half consisted of songs and duets, which were all well received and a number were encored. Among those giving items were Miss Smalley, songs; Mrs Dickenson, songs; Miss Brown, recitation; Messrs Smalley and Dickenson, solos and duets; Mr O’Malley and Mr Ashton, ventriloquial effort (much appreciated). A splendid item was the well-rendered quartette, "Pro Phundo Basso” and this had to be repeated. Those taking part in this quartette were Miss Smalley, Mrs Dickenson and Messrs Smalley and Dickenson. A humorous duet by Mr and Mrs Dickenson was also encored. A muchappreciated innovation was the appearance in between each item of two irrepressible clowns who were responsible for some mirth-provoking ‘‘gags.” The second half of the programme was taken up with the playette “Uncle Ben, ’ and this item alone was wtyrth the price of admission. It was exceedingly well acted by each of the performers. Mr Kemp (Uncle Ben, a rich uncle), Mr Dickenson (the nephew) Mrs Ashton (landlady), Mr Ashton,’ Miss Brough, Miss Brown and Miss Benyon. Mr Longworth thanked the audience for attending on such a wet night. He explained that the proceeds were for a good cause (school improvement) and that the sum raised was subsidised £ for £. ' At his request three cheers were given for the concert party who had been so successful.