GOOD WILL CONCERT

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 219, 16 September 1935, Page 16

GOOD WILL CONCERT

FOR MISS NELLIE BRAMLEY,

SUCCESS ACHIEVED

The large audience at the goodwill concert tendered to Miss Nellie Bramley in His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday evening demonstrated unmistakably that the threat re-goers of Auckland have not only an admiration for Miss Brainloy as an accomplished actress but also respect ior her as a courageous woman who did not hesitate to perform a courteous act in the face of adversity.

I A very enjoyable programme opened I with a variety concert and concluded ■with tho first act of "Peg o' My Heart," produced by Miss Bramley, who took the title role. The vocalists were Mr. Geoff. C'olledge, Mr. Roger Errington, Miss Gwenda Weir and Mis Kay Christie and Mr. Harry Donaldson, who presented a duet in costume. Miss Leela Bloy gave a violin number and dance presentations were given by Miss Bettina Edwards, Miss Margaret O'Connor and Mr. Ted Priestly, while Miss Lilian O'Leary presented Nalda and Joan, two nimble young dancers. Humour was supplied by Miss Edna Thomas and Mr. Dan Flood. Not the least appreciated performance was Mr. Clarry Purdy's whistling and imitations of bird calls. An orchestra under tho baton of Mr. George I'oore accompanied two of the dance numbers, and also provided pleasant music for the overture and entracte. Piano accompaniments were played by Mrs. Bloy, Mrs. Hawkc, Maude Lysaght, Winifred Toad, Ivy Akcrsten and Alan Pow.

The presentation of the first act of "Peg o' My Heart," which occupied the whole of the second half of the programme, was a personal triumph for Miss Nellie Bramley, both as an exceedingly clever and charming character actress and a producer, who, in a few days rehearsed a number of hastily-assembled amateurs into giving a performance not far short of professional standards. As was to be expected, Miss Brainley's portrayal of the unsophisticated but shrewd Irish girl, who was sent to be educated in the ways of the world in the household of her purseproud aunt and her snobbish family, was wholly delightful. The members of the cast were: —Rachel Holdsworth, Bob Fenwick. Anita Webster, Terry AcmanSmith, Geoff. Colledge, Zante Wood. Audrey Alison, Harry Withers.

After the final curtain Miss Bramley, who was submerged with floral gifts, made a short but most sincere speech, in which she expressed her heartfelt thanks to all those who had helped to make her concert such an outstanding success.