GIRLS' HOSTEL.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1920, Page 5

GIRLS' HOSTEL.

LAST NIGHT'S ENTERTAINMENT. PROCEEDS TOTAL ABOUT £45. The concert and dramatic entertainment organised in furtherance of the campaign to raise funds for a Girls' Hostel in New Plymouth, was held last night in the Workers' flail. A larg.v audience witnessed the entertainment and showed unstinted praise of the work of the various artists. Last night* proceeds will be about £4ii.

The chief portion of the programme was taken up by the production of Gertrude Jennings' comedy "Five Birds in a Cage." The scene is laid in a London tube lift, and thp story centres round the fact that the lift machinery breaks down, leaving five people "stranded." The predicament of the passengers is the basis for a laughable theme. The part of the Duchess' of Wiltshire (who is anxious to reach home for dinner i. was ably played by Mrs. Claude Weston, supported by Jut society companion, Lord Portli (Mr. Andrew' Smith). I:i her endeavour to ascertain the reason for the hold-up, the Duchess puts many and varied questions to all and sundry without avail. Mr. Etherington hold the part of the non-committal liftman, whose reply to most questions was "'Dunno! - ' The passengers in the lift included Nelly, a costumiere's messenger who was anxious about the delivery of a dress to a customer, and the caste was originally interpreted by Miss Dora Bed. ford. The remaining member of the party is "Bert," the foreman bricklayer, just promoted (Mr. Hartman), and'hi* •conversations with the Duchess and endeavours to assist Nelly, provide soma ure.using interludes.

The performers were given an ovation on (he conclusion of the comedy. A feature of the lift scene was the publicity hoarding i„ the background, which was largely patronised by locat business men in response to a 'canvas by the committee, and the charge made to advertisers will result in the addition of a good sum to the proceeds of the function.

Vocal items were contributed by two popular singers, Miss Constance Beilly and Mr. Norman Day. Miss Reilly mail's "Mia Piccirella." "Still as the Night." and '•VMlhinelle." On each of these occasions an encore was demanded, the items being "There are Flowers at the Uottom of our Garden." "Morning," and Alfred Hill's composition, "Waita Poi." Mr. Day was in fine voice, and in response to recalls for his renderings of '■Kins Charles," and "The Sword of Ferjwa.' he pave "For You Alone," and "A Banjo Song." A promising young pianist, Mr. George Smith, gave a good rendering of "Hussarenitf," and as 'in encore Greig'a Matin song. The performance will be repeated to-night.