ALEXANDER WATSON

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 166, 4 October 1927, Page 15

ALEXANDER WATSON

SECOND RECITAL

With a well-selected programme. Which enabled him to show the diver-, sity of his talents, Mr. Alexander Watson entertained a large audience in the concert chamher last evening. The first half of the programme was devoted to a recital of Dickens's littleknown, work, “Doctor Marigold’s prescriptions.” It is characteristic of the master, and swings swiftly from humour to pathos. It gave the reciter ample opportunity, and fie availed himself of it all.

The shorter pieces were excellently chosen. and expressive of different moods which the great artist had pu difiieulty in interpreting- Drinkwater’s wistful little masterpiece, "The Crowning of Dreaming John,” and A. E. Housman’s stark and beautiful “Bredon Hill,” were each treated convincingly. “The Hlf Child," a dialect poem by James Whitcomb Riley, showed the reciter working with equal success in a more difficult medium. Other poems given were “Gemini and Virgo” ‘ (C. S, Calveriey), “Conn Goes Hunting” (Dion Boueicault), and “Iraphm,” an old Scottish set of verses. This evening Mr. Watson will give a Kipling recital, and in the vigorous resounding verse of the Empire's laureate, he will be heard at his best. Among the poems chosen for the recital are:—-“Gunga Din,” “The Ballad of the Bolivar,” “If,” "The English Flag,” and then “My Lord, the Elephant,” from “Mulvaney’s Adventure.” * The second part of the programme includes two of Belloc's “Cautionary Tales,” and "The Two Captains’' (AVH- Miles). To-morrow night a Barrie first part wijl be given with miscellaneous items by Crosbie, Garstjn, Tennyson, C, F. Adams, Russell, Lowell and J. Payn. Mr. Watson’s season will be continued throughout the week.