FINE NEGRO SINGING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 709, 8 July 1929, Page 14

FINE NEGRO SINGING

FINISHED PROGRAMME OF JUBILEE TROUPE MIRTH AND MELANCHOLY Colourful plantation melodies. ch„ mg war songs and melancholy’ spirituals—with these and an excSf power of posturing, the eight m.-Tv of the Kentucky Jubilee SingS?*"* their way to success at HhMaW' Theatre on Saturday evening 1 ’ The appeal made to the large ami ence at the opening of the tow Aew Zealand was proved by theV: that no fewer than four encores demanded at the end of the performChoruses in which ranges ot voice were clearly and pleasingly define were sung in masterly fashion and tenor blended finely. The n< formance bore out the praise give' by American critics to Forbes R-., dolph’s singers. The scene opened with old darki, grouped in a plantation. All the ccr pany members were there—E. D. son, Arthur Gaines. Arthur Payne H ton Jones, Augustus Simons, Arch! Cross, William Veasev and Robert Caver —but in true plantation dre?The audience was given an indication of the worth of the programme with bass solo of “Old Black Joe,” with incidental chorus effects. The number ever welcome, was one of the best o ; the evening. Followed “Shine Oe Shine On. All Cross Over Jordan.” a lively melody, “Deep River,” Exekie! Saw de Wheel,” and “Cradle in Carolina” as the other important numbers of the first part of the programme. A difference in the second par;— with the booming of artillery and the rat-tat-tat of machine guns back-stage, the company members found themselves as coloured soldiers of the American Army in a dug-out “somewhere in France.” Considerable meaning lay behind the scene. The singers were portraying the fears, the superstitions of their race, livened more often than not by witty passages That hour before battle —some of the coloured soldiers huddled in the darkness of the dug-out. listening fearfully to the voices of war, others played cards nonchalantly and sang. It vas a fine scene. Spirituals and war songs were sung. Zero hour came and the men went over the top; soon they were back, shattered. One of their number lay in the dug-out dying. Fears and sorrow crowded on the mer. “Goin’ to Study War No mo',' Dvorak's “New World,” “If You Wanna Know Where the Generals Are,” “Goin’ Home,” and “Doan Close Dat Gate, ’Cause I’m Sure Comin In,” were the great successes of the part. Back to every-day life in the next part, the singers stood around a piano, with Mr. Howard Moody accompanying. Many of their items, spirituals notably, were given with incidental antics by “Shorty.” “All God’s Children Got Wings” was the most popular song, other numbers being “Wasn't Dat a Wide River?” “Steal Away. “It’s Me, O Lord,” “Many Thousand Gone,” “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. “Every Time I Feel de Spirit,” and “De Gospel Train.” Auckland has the opportunity to gain an insight into the trust and tiie ingenuousness of the negro religious themes. MUSICAL RECITAL UNITY HALL THIS EVENING A very interesting programme ha been arranged for the gramophone recital which is to be held at the bmo Hall this evening. The audience wm have the opportunity of hearing somof the most famous orchestras, instrumentalists and vocalists in the wor ■ A number of the records which wit. be demonstrated cannot be heard to advantage on the average gramophone but it is confidently stated that tne instrument to be used at this rec... reproduces the most difficult jeccr with a clearness and a realism tba. n never before been equalled. The programme has been arrange' by Mr. C. B. Plummer, who, for man. years, has been a prominent figure Auckland musical circles. The reciuwill be under the personal direction uMr. Plummer. The actual program® to be given, and the situation ot Unity Hall, are advertised in this issue Admission is free..

NORMA SHEARER IN TALKIES Norma Shearer, who makes her ilie picture debut in “The • y'\._ .Mary Dugan,” Metro-Goldwyn-May« - all-talking picture, which will he at the Regent Theatr shortly, is

girl with the 100 - per cent. talkie voice,” according to preview critics. This star has never been on the stage, yet critics who saw her initial microphone work paid high tribute to the quality of her voice and ability of expression. In the film version of the famous stage play, which was directed

wmen was aireci.tr a •VS J by the author, H. B. TV arner, Stone and Raymond HackeL a_ ured with Miss Shearer.

MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERT ON SATURDAY EVENING “Dei' Rosenkavalier,” a by Richard Strauss, was a speexa presented for the first time D > Municipal Band at its concert Town Hall on Saturday evening- ; good programme was presenter the concert was a most enjoyau • A popular item was the v f overture, and instrumental solos contributed by Messrs. Purchase *. honium), Bowes (cornet) and - ■ nan (flute), while delightful numbers were sung by Miss - Stacpoole, with Miss Thelma at the piano _ tpf A| At the Zoological Park yesv* € afternoon the varied and at lin ic> programme by the Auckland - - ro jo pal Band included a selection k • The Valkyrie,” and a lighter from “The Pirates of Penzance excellentlv rendered. A nuni ; n f bright marches and other tm- ” items made up an enjoy gramme