ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1939, Page 7

ST. ANDREW SOCIETY

EXCELLENT CONCERT. PRESENTED TO CROWDED HOUSE. The Opera House. Masterion. was packed to the doors last night wl;en the Masterton St Andrew Society presented an excellent concert. The proceedings were opened in traditional Scottish fashion by a pipihg-in ceremony. by Pipers N. Dickel and A. I\l. Mackenzie Douglas, of the Chief. Mr H. Mackenzie Douglas, who was attired in full regalia. The ceremony was a most impressive one. After the singing of the National Anthem, pipe selections consisting of a quartette in part, of "The Green Hills of Tyrol." and a stirring march, were given. The unusual quartette proved very popular with the audience. Mr MacCauley very nicely sang "The Battle of Sterling" and "The Land of the Leal." A strathspey from the Reel o’ Tulloch performed by a foursome, was encored and the performers later responded with a foursome Highland reel. Mrs W. Andrews sang delightfully' a group of contralto solos, which included "Angus MacDonald." "A Wee Hooseon the Hillside." and “W’ha Better Bide a Wee.” Miss Doreen Jamieson and Mr William C. Mann sang "O’. Wert Thou in the Cauld Blast," and as an encore number. “Oh Where. Tell Me Where." both being splendidlyrendered. Mi- Ken Macauley sang in excellent fashion "The MacGregors’ Gathering." "The Road to the Isles," and "My Ain Folk." which was aptly described by "O first he sang a merrysong, an’ then he sang a grave." Miss Edna Corlett danced the Gilliecallum (sword dance) and responded to an encore with a Scan Triubhais. Mrs Wilfred Andrews sang "Hail Caledonia" and "D’ye Mind Lang Syne." Her encore item was "My Love is Like a Red. Red Rose." All the songs were greatly appreciated.

The curtain then rose on a one-act play, which was very well presented. The story concerned the efforts of a supposedly elderly woman to get rid of unwelcome visitors from her cottage- by means of eerie tricks. After interesting sequences the denouement came in an exciting manner, when the old woman turned out to be a jewel thief. The dialect was good throughout and the acting warmly appreciated by the audience, that of Granfelheyr. who was always "that cauld," being outstanding. The play reflected great credit on the producer, Mrs Robert Miller.

Mr Mackenzie Douglas briefly addressed those present and stated that he was not going to thank everyone for their attendance, but was going to congratulate them on being there. He expressed the Society's thanks for all who had assisted in making the concert such a success. In particular he mentioned the work of Mrs G. C. L. Dickel and Miss Cameron, Mr J. H. Lawson and assistants, Mr J. A. Kerslake and Mr H. E. Either. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" concluded a most enjoyable concert. The programme was as follows:—• Pipe selection. Pipers A. M. Mackenzie Douglas, L. Pither, Neil Dickel, and W. N. Mackenzie Douglas; baritone solos, Mr Ken. Macauley; foursome reel. Mrs R. Hall, Miss E. Edwards. Messrs M. C. Walker and A. Cruickshank; contralto solos. Mrs Wilfred Andrews; recitation, Chieftainess Mrs Robt. Miller: vocal duets. Miss Doreen Jamieson and Mr Wm. C. Mann:-sean triubhais. Miss Edna Corlett (piper. Chief’s piper Thos. Pickett); contralto solos, Mrs Wilfred Andrews. The accompanist was Mrs H. M. Morton.

The cast in the one-act play “Midnight” was: The woman. Miss Grace Gaudin; Geordie Thompson (an ordinary young man). Mr J. A. Kennedy; Aunt Jessie (Geordie’s Aunt), Miss Margaret McLaren; Grannie (Jessie's mother), Mrs Robt. Miller; Granfeyther, Mr P. C. McLaren; Alfie Drinkwater (the man from “Glesca"). Mr Wm. C. Mann; first detective, Mr A. M. Mackenzie Douglas: second detective, Mr Finlay Milne. The producer was Mrs Robt. Miller, and the stage manager. Mr J. M. Lawson.