"THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE."

Taranaki Daily News, 16 February 1917, Page 8

"THE SENTIMENTAL BLOKE."

ME. LAWRENCE CAMPBELL'S RECITAL. A delightful entertainment was given by Mr. Lawrence Campbell iu the Good lemplar Hall last evening, 'when a large audience listened with keen appreciation' to a recital of tlio songs of the Sbienti'menta't Bloke, a collection of; poems written by Mr. 0. J. Dennis. These songs form the life-story of a Melbourne citizen of the lower-class who, before meeting with soul-mate, delighted in drunken brawls and gambling, hi the striking slang of the city back-street, Bill tills of his meeting 'with Doreen. Bill falls under the influence of love ajjefthe sweet ways of his Doreen. He drops his old life and becomes regenerated. The most popular of the songs is the one which describes the visit of Bill and Doreen to a performance of Romeo and Juliet. 'That green-eyed monster, Jealousy, finds a place in" Bill's courtship, and the manner in which he treats "that stror 'at coot" is most humorously told. The inevitable reconciliation takes place, and Bill's delight knows no bounds. His visit to Ala, his opinion of the clergyman, and his marriage to Doreen form the subject of three interesting poems. The story in connection with each incident is toid in characteristic and descriptive language. Bill makes 1 a break from the path of rectitude, and his subsequent remorse is graphically told iu "Beef Tea." Bill's fortune is enhanced by the gift of n farm and a home by a distant' relative. The most human and touching poem of the series is entitled "The 0 Kid,'' in which Bill tells of the birth of his son and heir. Bill is of a reflective turn of mind, and the philosophy he expounds in "Ihe Mooch of Life" is very human, H Mr. Campbell is ft clever performer, and no better exponent of "The Sentimental Bloke" could be-found. All the shades of Bill's sentiments are strikin"ly brought out by the reciter, whose elocution is clear 'and fluent and goes right home to the hearts and minds of his hearers. Humor, pathos, and homely descriptive powers are cleverly blended. The audience greatly enjoyed the performance, adn the recital 1 was often punctuated by rounds of hearty applause. At other times one could have heard a pin drop as Mr. Campbell gave expressive utterance to some of Bill's pathetic musings. "The Sentimental Bloke" will be repeated this evening. To-morrow- evening, Mr. Campoell will give a miscellaneous scries of recitations, sketches, ami musical monologues. The recitations will include selections from Shakespeare, Kipling, Edgar Wallace, and ,'Hell-Gate of Soissons,' a recently-written war poem. Sketches will aliib be given from 0. Henry's works.