OKATO PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 July 1917, Page 7

OKATO PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

AN'OUTSTANDING SUCCESS. _ "One of the. best concerts ever staged in Olcato," was the unanimous verdict given by the crowded audience at the conclusion of tlie patriotic concert which was held in the Hcmpton Hall, Okato, on Tuesday night. The newly-elected Patriotic Committee (Messrs L." Hunter, chairman, R F. Roebuck, J. McLeod, L. Andrews, C. Andrews,. W. A. Oorbett,' Cecil Corbett, P. Carey, J. Carey, H. Brennan, ,1. Wooldridge, secretary) lost no time in getting to work to raise funds, aDd spared ho time or effort in endeavoring to make the concert a success, and the response made by the public must have been as gratifying to the committee as the entertainment was to the audience. There was not one dull moment, and encores were numerous. Mr. Bert Vinsen, one of the leading organisers of the concert, had gathered together a number of New Plymouth's best-known performers, the majority of whom were new to an Okato audience, who will be anxious to renew acquaintance with them. The new drop curtain also proved a "happy idea for increasing the funds, £l7 10s being raised by this means. It was clev.erly designed and excellently executed by Mr. L. Hunter, there being in the centre a Union Jack supported by a soldier and a sailor and the British bulldog, while all around were advertisements, attractively displayed, nearly every one containing an illustrative 'block. So well pleased were the advertisers that Mr. L. S. Hart presented the funds with an extra £1 for. the faithful portrayal of the water-wheel in which he specialises. The artist was assisted by (Messrs J. McLeod, J. Wooldridge, L. Andrews, E. Leadorn, and 3?. Vinsen. The hall was tastefuly decorated, whilst the lighting, which had been arranged 'by Mr. F. 11. .Robertson, of "Wizard" fame, especially ,for the occasion, added considerably to the brightness. Mr. L. Hunter made a capable stage manager, Ibut the souvenir programmes on which the items were racily set out reduced his duties to a minimum.

The programme opened with an overture by Mr. Barnitt. Then followed a song, "Trooper Johnny Ludlow, No. 192," by Mr. Reg. Jenkins, his encore being "My Land"; Madame Butterfly (Mr. L. Smith), in costume, delighted the audience with "I've Studied Beauty" and "I'm in Love"; euphonium solo, "ICillarney," by Mr. McDonald, -was applauded; scrng, "Philosophy," Miss Glory Harrison, her encore 'being "Dixie Land." Mr. W. H. Goldsworthy easily maintained his reputation as an entertainer with his musical monologues, "Kissing Cup's Race" and "The 'Bridegroom of St. Pierre"; topical douMe, "Parody on Alice Where are Thou?" Messrs Kearna and Roslyn (Messrs Keys and Smith), "brought down, the house, and "Kaiser Bill and King Ferdinand" was given. Banjo solo, "To the Front," Mr. Gadd (encored). Loveldo, under which title Mr. J. Lovell, the New (Plymouth comedian, appeared, delighted the audience with "The Farmer's Boy," and his recall number "<A Hard-Boiled Egg"; song, "A Chip of'the Old Block," Mr. Gordon iMclsaac. The first half concluded with a very pretty little sketch. "The Tin Can Band," by a number of young children, little 'Madge Ansley taking the solo, and Olga Aroa a pretty little dance. The band comprised Misses Dorothy Fox, Phyllis Street, Evelyn and Mabel Eodrick. In the second half the programme was as follows:—(Pianoforte solo, Miss Pearson; song, "Imagination," Mr. Keys, encore "An Alaibama Jubilee"; song, "Somewhere in Frarfee," Mr. H. Moon (encored); comic sketch, "A Theatrical Production," Mr. J. Lovell, encore "P.C. 49" ; fancy dancing, Miss Madge Ansley; musical monologue, "Fifteen Minutes in Mr. Goldlsworthy; banjo solo, Mr. Gadd (encored); song, "The Tanks at Picardy," Mr. Smith, who gave as an encore "Private Michael Cassidy." The concluding item was a number of imitations of musical instruments, cornet, euphonium, trombone, 'bugle, etc., by Mr. Bert Vinson, who finished with a sketch, "The Puniho Band," assisted by Messrs Lovell, Keys, and Smith, and had to respond to an enthusiastic encore, giving a realistic circus performance, during which a number of coins were thrown up in aid of Okato Baby, No. 90. . The accompaniments were played by Miss Glory Messrs Barnitt, Pearson, and Gadd. Tho hall was then cleared for dancing, which was kept up until the early hours, with an interval for supper, lwhich was greatly appreciated. Excellent music was provided by Mr. Barnitt, whilst Mr. C Corbett made an efficient M.C. A number of buttonholes made by Mrs. Priske were sold in aid of the funds.