GRAND CONCERT AT MANGAHAO.

Shannon News, 22 February 1927, Page 3

GRAND CONCERT AT MANGAHAO.

BY WELLINGTON ARTISTS. As was recently announced in the News, Mr Len. Barnes brought a concert party from Wellington to Mangahao tc mark his appreciation of the courtesy shown at the Works to him and some visitors recently.. The knowledge that Mr Barnes was one of the Dominion’s leading baritones resulted in the Y.M.C.A. hall being packed to overflowing long before schedule time on Saturday evening. The visitors had been met at Otaki and from Shannon two service cars took them on the beautiful drive to Mangahao. It was a glorious day and they were enraptured with the gorgeous scenery and will go back to Wellington advertising the scenic beauties adjacent to Shannon with no uncertain voice.

The party was met by the Chief Engineer, Mr Johnson, and other members of the staff. The visitors consisted of Mr Barnes (baritone), Mrs Harlis (soprano), Miss Mackie (contralto), Miss Winge (accompanist), Mr Arthur Coe (tenor), and last but not least Mr Doug. Stark (humorist and comedian), The vocal items were of a very high oflder, the quartette being excellent. The programme lasted for over two hours, every item being encored and if, was a marvel how the voices stood the strain for there was a very little spell for them from beginning to end. Seme of the quartettes were sung unaccompanied, and were heard to great advantage. The soloists were in good form, especially Mr Barnes, whose singing of “The Toreador” was a great treat. Mangahao residents can appreciate high-class music as well as the lighter kind.' The programme finished with that very fine selection, “Flora’s Holiday,” and here again the artist <* qualities of concerted items and soloist were heard to advantage. As a finale, the party gave a humorous chorus. Mr Doug. Stark brought down the house and the audience had some of the hea--tiest laughter they had had for some t.ime. In his get up as the old man who was “94 to-day” and “I belong *o Closgae,” he proved himself to be a comedian and artist of very high standing. The sketch of “The Recruiting Office,” in which Mr Len Barnes was the officer, and Mr Stark the one to join up, was very cleverly done. At the Close, Mr Massey Sanson, the Y.M.C.A, secretary, who was responsible .for most of the arrangements asked the audience to thank the party for their very good concert, and Mr Johnson called for musical honours, which were heartily siven. Mr Barnes replied and said they had bad such a good lime that they would come again. The room was cleared for dancing and a sumptuous supper was served. Sunday was another glorious day and the party explored the beauties of the upper reaches of the Mangahao and were shown all over the works. The visitors returned to town by cars and caught the train at Otaki, taking with them a lot of ferns and the conviction that Mangahao was the place to spend a week-end. _