SCOTT CENTENARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 225, 22 September 1932, Page 8

SCOTT CENTENARY.

ST. ANDREW'S SOCIETY TRIBUTE. ENJOYABLE CONCERT. As a centenary tribute to the memory of Sir Walter Scott, the St. Andrew's Society of Auckland gave a concert in Scots Hall last evening. The Mayor of Auckland and Mrs. Hutchison, 'under whose patronage the concert was given, were played into the hall by a piper in all the glory of kilts, and from that point to the end of a long programme the evening was a marked success. Mr. J. W. Shaw gave a capital address' on the great novelist and poet, and the items of the programme all illustrated some work of Scott or phases in his life. . .

The program me opened with a pageant from the Waverley novels. Then was given a double quartet, "Hail to the Chief," the singers being Mesdames J. Cowan, A. Rattray, H. E. Kersey and A. Cowan, Messrs. J. Millar, G. G. Spicer, T. Blomfield and J. Cowan. This item was the boat song from "The Lady of the Lake," the air being composed by Sir Henry R. Bishop. An orchestra, under Mr. Harold Baxter, gave a fine rendering of the overture to "Lucia di Lammermoor," for which Donizetti drew on Scott's thrilling tale. "Bonnie Dundee," sung by Miss Alys Moncur; a monologue, the combat scone from "The Lady of the Lake," by Mr. Tom Harris; and "Blue Bonnets Over the Border," sung by Mr. Duncan Black, were followed by the acting of scenes from "Guy Manucring," one of Scott's most delightful domestic novels. The scenes chosen were one in the library of Colonel Mannering and one on the seashore near "Woodbourne." Those taking part were Kathleen Teape, Marjory Pcndergrast, John Howie, Leila Armitage, J. Poole, D. Messer, Madge Horn and D. Mortenson.

The second half of the programme opened with a double quartet, "Oh. Hush Thee, My Baby," which was used in the stage version of "Guy Mannering" by Terry, the great actor, who was a warm friend of Scott's. Three scenes from "The Heart of Midlothian," portrayed by D. McCrone, Mrs. Culford' Bell, J. Dick, Margaret M. Howie and W'nnie Russell, were in the Laird's- library, in .the Duke's London house, and in the Queen's reception room. Two scenes from .''Rob Roy," one in Jean McAlpine's inn at Aberfoyle, and the other in the clachan of Aberfoyle, were done by A. Stephens, J. I. Shields, Betty Budge, R. le Beau, J. Dick, T. Vivian, D. McCrone, G. Frceland, Margaret M. Howie, A. McGowan, F. Budge, J. A. McLaren, D. Herrick, J. McComb and J. McLeod. "Jock o' Hazeldean" was sung by Mrs. Morison Mac Donald, and "MacGregor's Gathering" by Mr. W. Gemmell. Miss Lillian Braithwaitc was the accompanist, and the organiser and stage manager was Mr. D. McLaren.