NOTABLE SUCCESS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 September 1941, Page 7

NOTABLE SUCCESS

“ONCE ABOARD THE LOGGER”

FINE SHOWING BY GIRLS’ CHOIR.

MUSICAL EXTRAVAGANZA

The large audience which greeted the Wairarapa Interhouse Association Girls’ Choir presentation, “Once Aboard the Lugger,” in the Masterton Opera House on Saturday night, showed its appreciation by frequent spontaneous rounds of applause. The presentation was a particularly good one and reflected the greatest credit on those responsible for its production and those who took part. All the members of the cast acquitted themselves splendidly. “Once Aboard the Lugger," a three'act musical extravaganza, was of a high standard throughout. The first act depicted a tavern setting. The presentation of three choruses, “Sing a Song of Sunbeams,” “There is a Tavern in the Town” and “Here’s to the Maiden of Bashful Fifteen,” put the audience in a cheerful mood. Miss Doreen Jamieson, ever popular with Masterton audience, sang “Love the Pedlar,” and Miss Mona Fulton sang “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life.” Miss Ola Curry gave a graceful rendering of a sailor’s hornpipe. Following the choruses “Apple Song” and “Floral Song." a peasant ballet was presented. The second act was a setting in Sir Percy Odsbodkin’s drawing-room. Misses Aileen Daily and Barbara Hair sang a duet, “Don Giovanni's Minuet,” for which they were deservedly applauded.

The scene for the third act was aboard the lugger “Wild Susanne,” and opened with three stirring choruses, “Rio Grande," “Fire Down Below" and “The Torpedo and the Whale.” The ballet, “Pirate Dance,” was a wellreceived number. Miss Mona Fulton gave a good rendering of a solo, “If I Might. Only Come to You" and with Miss Audrey Bilderbeck sang a duct, “Love 'Was Once a Little Boy.” The action of the play developed along interesting lines and concluded on a happy note. A duet, “Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life,” sung by Misses Mona Fulton and Aileen Daily, received welldeserved applause. The entertainment concluded with two choruses, “No Need to Plead for Mercy" and “What Shall We ,Do With the Drunken Sailor,” in which the complete company took part. The chairman of the Wairarapa Interhouse Association Committee, Mr G. Daubney, spoke briefly. He thank-' ed those present for their attendance and expressed the wish that similar patronage would be given tonight’s performance. Mr Daubney also referred to the fact that two members of the cast had become ill and had been replaced at short notice. The substitutes had done particularly well. The extravaganza was produced by Mrs E. J. Rich and added to her long list of successful productions. Mrs A. Miller Hope was musical director, and Miss Freda Masters was accompaniste. Mr M. M. Simpson carried out the duties of stage manager with commendable efficiency. The wardrobe mistresses were Mesdames Moss and V. Heath. Miss Enid Thompson, ballet mistress, was responsible for the general excellence of the bright ballets. Mr H. Filer was accompanist for the ballets and Messrs W. L. Butler and H. Byrn were responsible for the lighting effects.

Members of the ballet were Misses Enid Thompson, Beryl Linton, Dorothy Walker, Phyllis Cretney, Thelma Davis, Mabel Walker, Ida Staniforth, Claire Wright. Half the net proceeds will be allocated to the Sister Phyllis Matthews Fund.

A concluding performance will be given in the Opera House at 8 o’clock tonight.