RED CROSS CONCERT

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 321, 26 October 1917, Page 4

RED CROSS CONCERT

At Pukekohe What was generally admitted to be the most successful and best staged amateur entertainment ever submitted in Pukekohe was given by a local organisation styling themselves the Snowflake Concert Party in the Premier Hall last Monday evening with the laudable object of assisting the "Our Day" appeal for the Red Cross Fund. To Miss Mabel Clarke is due the credit of organising and producing tho entertainment and she and Mr J. G. Russell, who acted as stage manager, are to be congratulated on the brilliantly meritorious reward that attended their efforts. Long before the hour (S p.tn; of commencement the hall was filled to overflowing and many persons were unable to gain admission. With the raising of the curtain tho stage presented a brilliant scene, tho lady Snowflake minstrels, attired in white forming a pyramid in the centre of the platform wbile the male members of the company, in evening dress, were on raised tiers on either side. This, combined with a display of flags of the Allies and many coloured lights artistically arranged, gave to the whole surroundings a brilliant setting. Indeed the kaleidoscopic effect was, in itself, charming, the word "Anzac" in revolving red lights being conspicuous at the back of the stage. The programme was opened with a chorus by the company. Mrs I. Motion followed with "Honey Pose," which she sang feelingly. Mr A. G. Brown's song, "The Goblin Man,"' was especially well received, his movements and expressive voice, combined with the flash light effects and the volume of the chorus, making a great hit. •" Ting-a-Ling" was a light song, which Mies Gillespie rendered effectively, and Mr J. T. ITewson next smartly contributed a song and dance Mr W. T. Jones was heard to advantage in his song " Riife Johnson's Harmony Band." Mr Alan McElwain, of Auckland, created roars of laughter by his humourous discourse on "Love," while his Telephone story was equally amusing " Virginia Lee," sung by Miss M. Clarke, was pleas'ingly rendered, her voice being particularly suited to the song selected. "Happily Married," sung by Messrs Brown and Bonner, in nigger costume, gained great applause, and "Good bye Virginia," by Mr G. Smith, was particularly well rendered. Mr C. Bonner gpve "Dixie" and justly earned the applause of the audience. After the interval the scene was " a Garden of Roses " and the olectrical effects were distinctly appropriate. Vaudeville items constituted this poition of the programme. The swing song, in which the vocalists were the Misses Pilkington, Corbett and Blake, was perhaj s one of the smartest performances of the evening, the swings in moaon being a blaze of electric light with their fair occupants most daintily attired. Messrs Brown, Stone and Jones were tho assistants and led the choius. Mr Alan McElwain contributed another humorous item and received great applause. A song and dunce " Persian Rose " was then pleasingly sung with Miss Gillespie as soluist, the dancing and chorus being equally well sustained by the Misses Pilkington, Bilkey, Long, Dell, Clarke and Mrs I. Motion. Mr G. Smith sang with great expression " The Blue Dragoon " and received a deserved recall. "La Parisienne" — a song and fancy dance was exceedingly pretty and was well carried out by Mes:ain?s Motion and Bayly, Misses Middleton, Blake, Corbett and Clarke and the Messrs Bayly, Motion, Junes, O'Loughlen, Bonier and Stone. Mr A. G. Brown next again delighted the audience and

was encored. Miss Clarke charmingly rendered a solo "Bring uie a Rose " and received great applause In the final chotus the company were massed togetlier and the singing of the National Anthem thou brought a thoroughly enjoyable evening to a close.

The members of the general chorus were Mrs Boyd, the Misses j ll.uvke and I. Brown, Messrs J. ! Hart, M. Wright. I). Roulston and j P. B .yd. Master Leslio Roadley, who w»re a strikingly handsome Page's attne of white satin, took tho role of Herald and in clear and distinct voi'je announced each item, making courtly obeisance to the audience on j each occasion. The orchestra was composed of! Mrs Claude Motion (piano), Miss I Antde O'Connor and Mr A- Graham • :'violins . ! In the electrical elfects Mr \\\ 8. j Bussell showed decided skill and the j ingenious illuminations materially j added to the attractions of the enter- j tammeut. The seating accommodation, which was taxed to the utmost, was most ably controlled by Mr Cecil Koadley, assisted by Mr Claude Kickett. and ; the secretarial duties were well discharged by Messrs L Stone and TI. IT. O'Loughlen. During the proceedings Mr A B. I Barter, as chairman of the local Red Cross Committee, thanked both j the audieneo and artistes for tho way tlmy had supported tho Bed Cross \ movement.