THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 16, 17 September 1915, Page 5

THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL.

A GREAT SUCCESS. The outstanding feature of last nio . ht 's social was the ready response toanappJaWll^ialfofthestafving Belgians, due to the splendid efforts ot Mr A F Wilson on the delivery of his own stirring poem entitled "Only a Pennv," the theme of winch is emphased in the liue-"A Penny YhH Buy Them a Meal!" Mr Wilson had previously given other lines of his under the title of "ZealandlaWeeps, which was so much appreciated as to call forth an encore, as above. AH sorts of coins rattled on the floor at the performer's feet as the recitation was being given, and the result was the verv satisfactory total of £4, which was handed to the Secretary of the local Belgian Fund. Mr Wilson's strong suit is patriotism, and he never fails' to strike home to the hearts of the people when he puts his pen to .paper 1 or'.makes an appeal'from tire

platform. '. - As to 'tlie social itself, there can be no doubt that Vnnch the same success attended it 'as on previous 'occasions, for despite tlie' very unfavourable weathere there was a very large .attendance. An excellent'"programme had ieen-yppaWdV the item's' witched with the dances. Perhaps the UenV was 1 "Tbast'to Erin." a song and chorus which was given >by a b'f jovial pjils, letf; by Miss Tocker'as'the soloist", and^n 1 eiicore was demanded. The same company made a hit with "Knitting," which was sung for the first time in Stratford. wlien'MKs' C.'Massey was the soloist. Mr McOath's monologue "Devil May Care/' was very gpod.-ancl-tbe"'-?'punga Dhin." In "Britannia's LesJ|ri-" -Miss Dolly Fitzgerald sang'With ilfieh' 'effect; and' wa.tr'deservedly 'en-(•li-edJ ~ This young performer hflS' a s :|e'et well-trained Voice, -aiinl knows li<}w to use it, and is sure to be heard off more on the concert platform. Two voices that WendeYl* r likv ~o»i£ ft.wii-9 tljfo.se of Mrs Massey and Miss GreenhJlgh in that prettv VlueH?/ "Venetian Bfat Song." and the audience demanded their appearance 'lor-it .sec* om time. "Irish Eyes Are Smiling." gave .Miss 1,,, {Sullivan opportunity to display her,..voc.al.. talent, which was recognised by insistent demands for an encore, and readily acceded to. The only uproar during the evening arose over Mr A? S. Martin's items, which were irresistibly humorous, and fairly "brought down the house." As a cure for the "blues," Mr Martin's comedy can be recommended as an infallible remedy! The "La Petite" ballet by Misses A. McDonnell. E. McDonnell, M. McDonnell, I. Kirkwood, E. Moon, and K. Wilson, was an excellent item, the young ladies dancing with line effect. The accompaniments were played by Mrs E. G. Allen, Misses "Winnie and Stasia Fitzgerald,; juu.d Miss Anderson, and Mr Cain. *|Tjhe, music for several dances was ployed by members of the company until tlie arrival of Mr Fox (piano) and Mr F. Foley (cornet), who carried the dance well on to the "wee sina 00r5,,"-..Mr-Xt Sullivan, .as M.C., was obliging and courteous. Chief among tlie workers on the committee, was Mr T. Lonergan. who had the arrangements for the evening well in | hand, while the .secretary (Mr 1\ J Brennan) was as usual at his post.