Lawrence

New Zealand Tablet, 30 March 1911, Page 575

Lawrence

The entertainment in aid of the convent building fund on St. Patrick's Night proved a very successful one from all points of view (says the Tuapeka Times). The seating accommodation of the Town Hall was fully taxed, while the programme submitted was thoroughly appreciated by the audience. The opening overture was Chopin's 'Valse' in A flat,' which was tastefully played by Miss Nellie McKay, who also acted as accompanist during the evening —no light task with sixteen items (including encores) of a classical and humorous character. Miss Ruth Smith ably accompanied Messrs. Smith and Lucas in their humorous contribution to the programme. The ' Irish Quartette' gave three selections, ' The wearing of the green,' ' The _ last rose of summer,' and ' The Blarney Stone,' in each of which they acquitted themselves with success, the voices blending harmoniously in the light and shade. Mr. R. C. Moore's recitation, How the captain saved the barge,' put the audience in the best of humor. Mr. Stewart (Dunedin Competitions' winner) made his first bow to a Lawrence audience in ' Old Father Thames,' and was a decided success. He received an undeniable encore, to which he responded. Later in the evening he again pleased the audience by his fine rendering of ' Big Ben.' Miss Kathleen Roche, who has a pleasing sweet voice, acquitted herself with credit in the ever popular ' Dear little shamrock.' The song' of the evening, from an artistic point of view, was ' Thora,' sung by Mr. A. Campbell. He was in splendid voice, and rendered this item with pathos and feeling; indeed he has rarely appeared to greater advantage on' a Lawrence platform. .Mrs. Sandys gave a very pleasing interpretation of ' The Irish lullaby, her effort being loudly applauded. Later, with Mr. Sandys, she appeared •in the [ Miserere' duet from 'll Trovatore,' and scored another success, while Mr. Sandys. who sang the tenor part behind the scenes, fairly excelled himself. He also later gave a. nice rendering of the Irish ballad 'Asthore.' Miss Patricia Higgins danced an Irish jig, which found favor with the audience and was loudly applauded. The comic duet, ' Taxes,' by. Messrs. Janws Smith and C. F. Lucas (Greenfield), fairly brought down the house. Like Oliver Twist, the audience asked for more, and an additional verse was sung. The duet, 'Larboard watch/ by Messrs. Campbell and Mason, was very

nicely sung, their voices blending admirably. Mr. J. J Woods created roars of laughter with his comic item. 'Tho grass widower,' for which he was. recalled. At the conclusion of the musical part of the programme Mr. J. J. Woods, in the absence of the Very Rev, Mgr. 0 Leary, who was indisposed, thanked the audience and performers—especially those from a distance like Mr Stewart (Dunedin) and Messrs. Smith and Lucas (Green™H° th > ei , r valuable assistance. The amusing farce, Ine Area Belle,' was then staged under the direction of Mr. K. L. Moore. All the performers acquitted themselves

most creditably, and where all did so well it would be invidious to particularise. The stage scene was most appropriate, and the entire performance went with a vim and go from start to finish.