HUMOUR IN GAOL.

Shannon News, 16 February 1926, Page 3

HUMOUR IN GAOL.

CONCERT BY TRJSONERS. A philosopher once remarked that there was nothing much wrong with the man who could laugh heartily, or with the man in whom there was a bright spark of genuine humour. in e 'philosopher would have rejoiced had he been one of the guests at the New Plymouth gaol one Saturday night when for close on three hours laughter and bright wit reigned supreme and turned the prison walls into a hall of gladness. Two kinds of guests were present, compulsory guests ol th«s establishment and free guests from the outside world.but between the two there was not the. slightest shad e of difference in the measure of enjoyment they obtained while a concert partv of twenty prisoners produced a variety programme and would have done credit to many a professional company. "Dineen's Dazling Dandies," a humorous and sentimental (band or angels (?), in doleful" ' ditties and dreary dirges," the concert party styled themselves, and the description gives a guide to the humour that was all pervading from the exceedingly well arranged programme,, with . its many quips and sallies, through the concert, to th e drawing of the final curtain. Borne of the quips on the programme (a copy of which Avas presented to all. the visitors) were exceedingly good.. For instance, it was announced that lh e concert was to take place in "His Majesty's Theatre,' alias "The Little Grey Home on the Hill, "while the Police Gazette was called on -to hear witness that the show was by a company with a reputation." And, another wit among the prisoners evolved this gem: "Queer that some men should take up a life of crime when thcr e are so many legal ways of being dishonest". Amusing "Tunis."

All "home-made," the costuming and -stage effects were a credit to the prisoners. The drawing or a white curtain, worked with blue and silver, revealed a stage which combined the attributes of a cosy palm court with, a drawing room. Ther e were footlights and screen lights, and all the drapings of a proper theatre stage. Flannels and blazers., and in some cases ordinary mufti, were the costumes of the men, while the "girls" of th e company were garbed in becoming frocks, with wigs and powder complete. One, the "leading lady," was even equipped with a metal bag on a chain, which, from the auditorium, appeared to be finished in blue enamel. It was the product of a few hours' labour on a piece of a benzine tin. For the enjoyment of the guests and their.fellow prisoners the merrymakers produced soloists, bass and tenor and baritone, and combined them in a well-balanced quartette. They had some comedians, one of whom was especially good, and should have no difficulty at all in finding an engagement When the prison gattes ] shut behind him. Again,, ther e was | the pianist and accompanist and a mystery man, whose sleight of hand was a treat to watch. Scope for Comedians. For the second part of the programme a revue. "Dry Hash," was staged. Here the comedians once more had full play. The scene was the parlour of a. boarding-house, the lodgers including the usual variety of patrons of such establishments—a prim oftl maiden lady armed with aweinspiring lorgnettes, flappers and dandies. The cook had been discharged, and it was around the efforts of the landlady, who had outlived four husbands, to produce th Q dinner that the plot was built, "Dry Hash," was as good as a pantomime. The concert was given by the special permission of the Controller-General of Prisons (Mr. H. Hawkins), and in- ' eluded in the visitors wer e the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), and Messrs. C. E. Bellringer and E. Walter,, M.P.'s. Complete arrangements were mad e by the gaol superintendent (Mr. Dinsen) and the staff for «.ie reception and comfort of tlie visitors, who showed their appreciation of a -night of very good fun with cheers for their entertainers and by leaving gifts of tobacco and cigarettes.