SUCCESSFUL CONCERT

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 138, 3 February 1932, Page 5

SUCCESSFUL CONCERT

RELIEF WORKERS' EFFORT TO l ASSIST FUNDS EXCELLENT PROGRAMME A most enjoyable concert was given on Sunday evening, when the Rotorua relief worker$ niade their first a^peal to the public in a campaign to raise funds for the assistance Of the Rotorua Tfpmen's Club and the Relief Committee. A large ! audience was present and gave an at- j tentive and very good-humoured j hearing to a really excellent pro- j gramme. Accompaniments to the musical items were played by Miss Je'an Ellis, Mrs. Rowe and Mr. E. Bendall. The Rotorua Municipal Band eommenced the piogramme with the National Anthem, followed by two numbers, "Gill Bridge" and "The Military Church Parade," both of which were warmly applauded. Unfortunately the band proved _a little too loud for the size of the theatre, ahd much of the effect was lost in this way. Mr. Ben Young followed with a renderi .g of the song "Ora pro nobis," which he interpreted with great feeling. The next item, "Plantation Melodies," by the "Four Darkie Knights," was one of the most popular of the evening. Well-known airs such as "My Old Kentucky Home," "Way Down Upon the Swanee River," and "Poor Old Joe," were given, the soloists being Messrs. J. Thomas and Daubeny. They were acompanied very. effectively by Mr. R. Knowles on the banjo, with Mr. E. Bendall at the piano. Two talented artists not very well lcnown to the Rotorua |publie are Mrs. Rowe and Mr. E. Bendall, who played a lively pianoforte duet, "Qui vive." Enthusiastically recalled, they played "Anitras Dance," the execution being excellent. _ Miss Jean Gregg was next introduced to the audience and delighted her hearers with the recitation "Vive la France." As an encore, Miss Gregg gave a humorous monologue, "A Visit to the Dentist." Mr. G. Nelson needed no introduction to a Rotorua audience, and his delightful rendering of a violin selection from the opera "Cavalleria Rusticana" was greeted with rounds of applause, no encore however being given. Mr. Lionel Synons, who has a clear and melodious voice sang "Sincerity," with the well-known "Because" as an encore. The Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson, then appeared on the stage, and in his brief but apt remarks, thanked those present for their support of the entertainment, and the. Rotorua Municipal Band and others who had contributed to the success of the concert. Mr. Jackson said that the men had banded themselves together in an earnest endeavour to help themselves, and thus deserved support. As the Mayor left the stage, the curtain rose on the ever-popular "Melody Boys," who played the fox trot "Me," followed by "Faithfully Yours." Mr. Ben Young ably filled the gap left by the absence of Mr. D. Blomfield, with a rendering of the song "Vale." He was followed by Mr. T. Martin, who played "Romance" as a saxaphone solo, with great dash and spirit. Mr. Martin, recalled by the enthusiastic audience, played "Flower of Love." Miss Rangi Owens, who is gifted with a very sweet voice, sang the wellknown song "An Emblem," and followed it with "The Prayer Perfect." The Ma.i"estic Quintette received a very attentive hearing, playing Oonezetti's "Fantasia," from "Lucia de Lammermoor." Mr. J. Thomas followed, and his spirited rendering of the song "To-morrow" was very well received. A novelty item, a whistling solo, was easily the most popular on the programme. Mr. C. Plummer performed the solo on a gum-leaf, and produced notes that

were remarkably clear and sustained. The last item was by Epi Shalf oon's Melody Boys, who played the numbers "When You Were the Rose of Butfcercup Lane," and "Goodnight Sweetheart." The playing of the National Anthem concluded a most eniovable evening's entertainment.