THE PIERROTS.
£IOOO BAY. , . THE CAMPAIGN OPENS. TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION AND CONCERT. The actual campaign of the local Pierrots, who have been working strenuously and earnestly for some weeks past, with tho praiseworthy object of raising £IOOO for patriotic purposes, began last night. The weather was not altogether what could have been desired, but. the cold and occasional rain drizzles did not tripeai' to affect the enthusiasm of the participants or the eager interest of the general public. The streets were thronged by expectant crowds, desirous of missing no part of the proceedings, while motors and other vehicles with many passengers were strongly in evidence. The tramcars were crowded during the early part of the evening bringing residents of the suburbs into town to witness or take part in the proceedings, and equally crowded at a later hour in conveying them to their respective homes. As a whole the initial stages of the campaign were decidedly successful, and augured well for the complete success of the effort. THE PROCESSION. A torchlight procession was the first Item on the programme and proved aii imposingly attractive spectacle. The place of assembly was the Red House corner, in Devon street, from which a start was made shortly after 7 o'clock for the post office.. The lead was taken by the Fire Brigade's motor engine, gaily bedecked with bunting for the occasion, and then came the Pierrots,' over thirty strong, in their quaint and pieturesquo costumes, the rear being brought up by a strong body of Boy Scouts. On each side of these, from beginning to end, marched members of the Fire Brigade, in their neat uniforms and bearing aloft flaring torches that brightly illuminated the scene. The pavement on each side of the thoroughfare was crowded, especially in the centre of tho town, and the procession was generally voted one of the beßt of its kind that has yet been seen in New Plymouth. Pierrot P. J. Flannagan acted as marshal, and carried out his onerous duties in a most capable manner. , When tho theatre was reached the crowd found two attractions awaiting them, both of the Pierrots* making. One of them was the-theatre itself, with the promise of an excellent concert programme, and the othet the butcher's shop, right opposite where a very fine display of meat of every description was made. The shop was besieged with eager patrons, people practically lighting to secure admittance, and have their wants attended to. The attractive wares were accountable for the tumult, but- no doubt a factor of somel influence also was a laudable desire to contribute to tho funds of so deserving a cause. THE CONCERT. To call the concert a brilliant triumph in every way would neither be inappropriate nor untrue. The commodious theatre was packed in every' part, not even' standing room being available, and hundreds were turned away.' Not ottly.fWas the audience huge, but it was linglily appreciative, and manifested its keen enjoyment of the excellent-evening's, enri tertainment with applause that was always hearty and frequently enthusiastic. The programme was long and varied, but the encores and' double encores, which were the order of the evening,' more than doubled iti length, ind y'ot created a desire for more. Riirtly has an entertainment of "So high a standard been offered to the public. The first number was the overture "Minstrel Melodies," spiriteflly aid cap!. ; tally played by the Citizens' Band, and 1 then followed an opening chorus by about thirty of the Pierrots. It was entitled "The Fun is about to Start," and was specially arranged for.the oeca-. sion, so as to express the altos and predatory intentions of the Pierrotfj. in a very lively and convincing The chorus was indubitably one of the hits of the evening, and produced the cjosired effect of at once putting the audietice in the best of humors. Mr. Macdonald was the first solo vocalist, and in "The Bandalero" his fine baritone voice was heard to such advantage "that an encore was as imperative as it was thoroughly deserved. Mrs. McLaren sang "Rose in the I(ud" very expressively and artistically, and on being recalled, gave a humorous but pathotic Tecitation, descriptive of a street newsboy's sensations on hearing the merry chimes of Christmas bells. Again the lady had to appear in order to placato her delighted hearersi end another song still further enhanced their admiration for her rare vocal capabilities. "The Sword of Ferrara," by Mr Dunstan, was also a greatly-appre-ciated number, and likewise encored. With a comic ditty entitled "Private Cassidy, V.C.," Mr. E. Gormley made a big Mt, andi after giving an amusing little monologue in response to « recall, made the first direct financial appeal of the «vinta2. This was a chorus entitled.
"When Our Boys Conn- Marching Dome," containing something more than a broad hint that coins or other money thrown on the stage would not he scornfully refused.' The appeal was followed by a shower of silver, vhiek took a continent of the Pierre l. mite a time to collect. The first pari wi brought -to * close by little Miss"; id. an'infant prodigy, whose song- ''l Make a Man of You" created quit* 1 -furore, and who 'added greatly' to her Murals hy an encore similar in theme, and a brief, but extremely diverting ""Imitation of a New Plymouth baby when it cries." The second part opened with a quartette, "In' Absence,' finely interpreted by Messrs Macdonald, Dunstan, Hooker and V Reid, and Mr. Dunstan, who did yeoman Service by not only singing his own« programme numbers, but by filling up a gap caused by Mr. Corrigan's inability to appear, sane "The Rebel" with excellent effect. Mrs. McLaren's sweet and melodious voice was again listened to with extreme pleasure' in '"Tlie Heart of the Rose," and another song given in compliance with a recall, and the miniature artiste Miss Jedd, ; was once more delicious in a pretty little song, in which she transferred the attention* she had previously conferred, upon tho army to the lads in navy blue. A topical song by Messrs Keyes and Smith - provoked much merriment, a cornet solo, "The Rosarywas capitally played Mr. R. Taylor, Mr. J. tovell contributed a comic song that greatly amused, and a very excellent concert, through whieh there was not a dull or tedious moment, was brought to a close with tho singing if the National Anthem. The stage management was in the capable buds of Mr. L, L, Smith, assisted bxJUr.,lr. Moon. During the evening financial eofiWterktions were by no means neglected. Ho collection during Mr. Gormloy's song, referred to above, realised £6 Gs 2d, and home-made sweets, collected by Sbs. Brookman and Mre. Boyd, were sold by Pierrots among the audience, the reoelpts amounting to £9. A beautiful basket of violets, presented by Mrs (Dr.) Wafter, was offered for sale by auction, purchased by the Mayor (Mr. C, H, Burgess) for £2 12s 6d, and presented on his behalf to Mrs. McLaren in recognition of her vocal triumph during the evening. ;. Little Miss Jedd, carried through the auditorium by tiro Pierrots, collected £3 4s 4d. But the most lucrative operation was 'the Bale of a large Union Jack, which formed part of the stage decorations. Pierrot Webster acted as auctioneer, and the bidding was extremely lively. The flag was first knocked down to the Mayor for £lO, again and again offered for sale, until at last the total amount realised was £129 ss, and the banner still remained the property of the Pierrots. TO-DAY'S BIG EFFORT. Everything is, now in readiheis for the' Pierrots' big effort in connection , with £IOOO day to-day, and all that .is now required is reasonably fine .weather to ensure the desired goal being easily achieved. The meat bazaar, fuUy stocked with veal, mutton, lamb, pork, poultry, etc., all donated by settlers in the country and townspeople made a magnificent sight, and attracted general admiration from the crowd. Its success is assured, for the staff of capable butchers Were kept busy all the evening Applying orders, and those who wish to ao business are advised to get in early today with their orders, in fact, ring up phone 167. , All day to-day a busy band of Pierrots will be out with the object of ga- > thering in the money,' and their task should be an easy one, with the number of attractions that they have provided, including the parcels stall at which thousands of paresis will be disposed of; 1 also souvenir flags, balloons, gollywogs, etc. There will be confectionery stalls, cake stalls, in fact stalls for everything. An oyster saloon will be open in the street. Singing Pierrots, with their topical songs, wiil keep everyone marry. Numerous valuable and useful articles Will be raffled. Everyone will have a fair chance. In fact, the Pierrots' aim is to give value for every shilling expended. Tickets for the art union will be on sale at Alessrs Bellringer's until 7 p.m. this evening. A feature this evening will be the Citizens' Band promenade concert. ' .
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Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1917, Page 5
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1,504THE PIERROTS. Taranaki Daily News, 30 June 1917, Page 5
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