GLEE CLUB GALA.

Putaruru Press, Volume II, Issue 31, 15 May 1924, Page 2

GLEE CLUB GALA.

MUSIC, MIRTH, DANCING. Popular Entertainment. Some Topical Touches. Before a crowded audience in the Putaruru Town Hall on Friday evening the Putaruru Ladies’ Glee Club gave their first entertainment this season in the form of a gala evening. THE MUSICAL PROGRAMME. The stage was arranged as a garden cafe, and with trees festooned with lit lanterns and the brightlycoloured costumes of the singers, presented a charming! y-gay carnival scene. The club was heard to better advantage than ever before probably, due to the fact that the stage had been built out into the hall temporarily to accommodate most of the singers. The curtain was raised to the chorus of “The Carnival,” during the verse of which the singers took their places at the tables fringing the stage. The first item was Di Capua’s “ O Sole Mio,” daintily sung by Miss L. Hardie, with violin obligato by Mrs. Barr Brown, the chorus being sung in harmony by six of the ladies. Mrs. I. Stewart, always popular, in “ Mary,” from “ Our Miss Gibbs,” captivated the audience instantly. Dressed as a country lass in blue frock with pink bonnet and sash, she impersonated the part to perfection. In response to a vociferous encore Mrs. Stewart sang “ Johnnie,” from “ The Country Girl,” with chorus by the club. The Waltz Medley, sung By the club and comprising waltz songs from " The Merry Widow,” “ The Country Girl ” and “ Maid of the Mountains,” proved an unusually attractive item. Four pairs of dancers, namely, Mrs. Rutherford and Miss H. Martin, dressed as a Spanish lady and gentleman, Mis. L. Martin and Miss Mackinr.on as Spanish dancers, ami Mrs. Portas and Miss Rolfe as pierrettes with Miss Hardy and Miss Byatt at pierrots, waltzed down the stage steps and up the aisle of the hall during the singing. Miss Alcorn, picturesquely attired as a Russian horseman, was heard to good advantage in Korbay’s Hungarian folk song, “ Had a Horse,” and as an encore sang another song by the same composer, “ Long Ago.” A most popular item in the programme was “ Chick Chick,” from “ The Country Girl,” in which Mr. Phillips excelled himself in interpreting the character of the “ he-ohick,” being admirably supported by Mrs. Stewart as the

“ she-chick.” Mrs. Millington’s pianoforte solo, “ Medley from Faust,” proved a real treat to the audience, who showed their delight at hearing her again by prolonged applause. In response Mrs. Millington played “ Jet D’Eau ” (Sydney Smith) in a delightful manner. Mr. Reynolds, of Hamilton, sang “ The Yeoman’s Wedding ” with great vim, and his encore, “ Song of Sleep,” was most artistically given, these two contrast ; ng songs showing the great versatility of interpretation at the command of litis artist. Mr. Phillips’ topical song, “It Will AIT Come Right ” (“Country Girl ”), proved very popular. The localised version of his song, as rendered by him, was as follows:

When first 1 was given to singing I certainly put on some frill, My tones they were robust and ringing, But I never could learn how to trill. Now this new style the Glee Club’s adopting Is utterly novel to me, For they never take breath or putstops in, And it’s seldom they sing in the key.

It will all come right in the future, But they cannot quite manage it now, For the altos are thick, and sopranos too quick, And the rest make a very strange row.

We’ve a railway that’s progressing blindly, And an S.M. of whom we’re all fond; He always is courteous and kindly, And his word is as good as his Bond. If you’re out to load trucks or find cream cans He’ll give you all help in his power, He’ll take you all round with his lantern At any old ungodly hour.

He’ll get his reward in the future, Though we don’t think lie’s getting He’s bound to move on, and best wishes lie’s won From the whole of Putaruru now.

We’ve a new motor service just started To Wairakei through slush and slime, If the Hudson in two has not parted, You’ll probably get there on time. The other route goes to Arapuni And delivers the mails quite 0.K., But would you believe it, they’re looney. They expect to get to-morrow’s

It will all come right in the future, Though we cannot at present see how,

But when we’ve a lake we’ll a motor launch take And deliver the mails with a bow.

When a councillor brings in a measure He’ll carry it through if he can, And it gives us a great deal of pleasure To support our new county road plan. If just as the scheme is got going We think lie had better resign, Well if concrete roads Qome we’ll be crowing, But now the mud takes off the shine.

It will all come right in the future, Though we do not at present see how, But we’re not alone, for Mr. Rabone Is at work on the problem now.

After repeated encores sang by Mr. Phillips, Mrs. Stewart brought him back and sang a further verse expressing the club’s thanks and appreciation of Mr. Phillips, who has so generously assisted the club in its entertainments. This verse was as follows:

Though our audience is sometimes astounded, We’ve still one on whom we may rely, Though by timber he’s always surrounded To help us he’ll do or he’ll die. We thank him for all his attention, X)f him and his art wc arc proud, The words he puts in we won’t mention, -“But he never is flat or too loud.

Wc hope lie’ll remain in the future And be with us for years somehow, But through weal or through woe we should like him to know How much wc all value him now.

Perhaps the most beautiful item ot the evening was “ Vilia ” (“The Merry Widow”), exquisitely sung by Mrs. C. Alcorn, soprano, with chorus tastefully sung by the club, the whole culminating in a beautiful tableau on the upper stage, Miss Maida Rolfe making a charming “ Witch of the Wood ” in white robes and green garlands. Riego’s “ Castilian Lament ’ 5 was expressively sung by Mrs. Loch head, heard this evening for the first time with the club, and her encore number, “ One Morning Very Early,” suited her admirably, and was also much enjoyed. This item formed the first of a group of five Spanish numbers, the others being “ The Toreador’s Song” (Carmen), sung by Mr. Phillips, with club chorus; “ Cavmencita,” very sweetly sung by Mrs. W. Mackinnon with a very animated singing of the Viva chorus by the club, and concluding with the showering of the soloists with flowers from the tables on the stage. The concliuPng 'Spanish items were the song, “ Dance a Cachuca,” rendered by the club, which exteremely difficult item showed their progress since their last appearance in 1923, and the Cachuca effectively d ‘.need by Mrs. L. Martin and Miss Mackinron. This was given with great vim and was enthusiastically encored, beingrepeated with still greater success. The programme concluded with Mrs. Alcorn’s singing with great expression of the last verse of “ The Carnival,” followed by the final chorus of this lovely old song*. A beautiful bouquet was presented to Mrs. Millington by the club, and a box of chocolates to Mrs. Stewart. The standard attained in this programme reflects great credit upon the club, and Mrs. Barr Brown’s work at the piano throughout the evening* was remarkably efficient. Accompaniments to Miss Hardie’s and Mrs Lochhead’s solos were artistically played by Mrs. J. Rutherford. The costumes were of gay continental type, with a preponderance c* Spanish styles very picturesquely portrayed, particularly the dancinggirls. The costumes, which were of scarlet and silver, completed with castincts and tambourine in true Spanish style. AN INTERLUDE OF MIRTH. A story telling competition followed the musical programme, and, in response to the general invitation given to the audience, five competitors came forward. The conditions were that the story by each should not occupy more than two minutes in the telling-, and Messrs. Lochhead and H. Pearsc, as judges, should award two prizes according to the applause of the audience at first trial. Messrs. Chas. C. Neal, who told a fairly long* story well, and Jas. Rolfe, who made an old joke delicious by wrapping it in topical garb and delivering it with gusto, were adjudged equal. On a second story being told by each, Mr. Neal was awarded the first prize, an ejeern' torch, and Mr. Rolfe the second prize, a hurricane lamp.

The hall was then cleared for dancing, and a tasty supper, provided by the honorary members of the club, was served to all present. Dancing followed, music being- provided by Mesdames Barnes, Aspden and Barr Brown and Mr. Roy Sayers, while a leap-year extra was played by Mr. E. A. Cooper. Messrs. Byatt and Rolfe acted as the M.’sC. Thus a somewhat novel entertainment in its variety but a particularly successful and jolly one concluded.

It was also quite successful financially, the aim of netting sufficient to pay the final instalment on the club’s piano being easily realised.