SCOTCH CONCERT.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1922, Page 4

SCOTCH CONCERT.

A PRONOUNCED SUCCESS. Thoroughly enjoyable in every respect was the programme submitted at the Scotch concert at the Empire Theatre, New Plymouth, last night. The hall was filled to overflowing when the orchestral overture was played, and it was a happy audience that filed out two and a half hours later. The programme included dancing by the McKenzie Sisters (of Wellington), Scotch songs and choruses, and other itema of a Caledonian character. None but the highest praise can be bestowed upon the dancing of Jean and? Thelma McKenzie. In all their move- ' ments they were exceedingly graceful, I and seldom have such clever and accomplished dancers appeared on a New Plymouth stage. The two sisters were first seen together ’in the Highland fling, danced in national costume, meeting with prolonged applause for their performance, and Jean replied with a sword dance, which was daintily executed. Thelma danced the seantriubhaig later in the programme, being vociferously encored. Jean appeared next as a charming colleen in an Irish jig, Thelma following in the sailors’ hornpipe, danced in appropriate drees. Both these dances proved exceedingly popular, and it was with regret that the audience let the young dancers retire. A graceful toe dance, enhanced by a pretty costuming effect, was Thelma’s next item, followed by a splendidly executed skipping . dance. Her last item was a Russian , folk dance, which, like her previous performances, was tumultuously received. Her sister Jean’s concluding dance was ! “Tarantelle.” a charming study graceI fully interpreted. It received the apj plause it well deserved. , The Male Choir party, of about 18 , voices, were heard twice during the evening, first in “Craigielea,” in which the soloist was Mr. W. J. Mountjoy. The song was given the sympathetic ! treatment it demanded by the choir ; and the soloist, the item having to be repeated. The choir were, perhaps, heard to better effect in their spirited and well-balanced rendering of “The Border Ballad,” which was very well received. The lady vocalists were Mrs. D. H. Thomson. Mias Annie White, Miss W. E. Harper, and Miss D. Leitch. All these ladies were well received, and were recalled. The most popular vocalist of i the evening was undoubtedly Mr. Fred Baird, who possesess a delightful lyric tenor voice. His contributions included “Mary o’ Argyle.” “A Hundred Pipers and A* and A’,” “Nirvana.” “Annie Laurie,” “On With the Motley” (Paliachi), and “An Evening Song.” He was doubly encored. “Afton Water,” with “Mary” as a recall, were sympathetically rendered by Mr. W. L. Hay. Several Scotch selections, under the title of “Scottish Gems,” with “Home Sweet Homo” as an encore, were played as a cornet solo by Mr. R. Taylor. The Savage Club’s orchestra also contributed an item. Accompaniments throughout the evening were played by Mrs. Skelton, Misa Greig. Messrs. F. P. Fredric, Harold Morey, and W. L. Hay. Mr.* Fredric’s orchestra provided the other music, whilst the piper for the Scotch dances was Pipe-Major Sinclair. The concert programme was organised by Mr. D. H. Thomson. The entertainment was in aid of the pipe band funds, who will no doubt benefit considerably as a result. At the door £27 14s waa taken, but this sum will be considerably augmented by the sale of tickets.