CAMP CONCERT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 13056, 26 January 1943, Page 7

CAMP CONCERT

ENTERTAINMENT BY TROOPS Return For Residents' Hospitality More Than 150 Guests Humour, song and music were cleverly interwoven to provide excellent entertainment fare at a concert staged at a military camp on Thursday evening. In addition to the personnel of the unit, more than 150 guests, all of whom had contributed in some way or other the welfare of the troops, were in attendance. The visitors included the Mayor of Tauranga, Mr L. R. Wilkinson, and Mrs Wilkinson. Accommodation was fully taxed when the improvised "curtain" went up and the National Anthem was played. The Commanding Officer of the unit took the opportunity in a brief speech of thanking the residents of the town and district for all they had done to make the unit's stay a pleasant one, adding that there would be genuine regret among the men when they had to leave.

The programme opened with a march, "Old Faithful," played by the unit orchestra, under the conductorship of Sgt. R. S. Adams, and was followed by a baritone solo, "The Holy City," by Sgt. J. T. Butler, who sang, as an encore, "Because." One of the features of the evening was an exhibition of tap dancing by Pte. J. McM. Rollo, who showed an uncanny aptitude on a makeshift stage. The turn was greeted with an ovation that brought the dancer back to the stage again. "Etude" and "Waltz" (Chopin) were the subjects of a piano solo rendered by Pte. P. W. Smallfield, L.R.S.M. (London) and added a touch of the classic to a varied programme.

An item that caught the fancy of the audience was a series of popular tunes played on the accordeon by Cpl. J. Wilson. The airs were taken up and impromptu community sing. ensued before Pte. P. L. Suckling followed in a baritone solo, "Trees." Xylophone solos, "Hungarian Lustpiel Overture" and "Turkish Towel Rag," played by Sgt. Adams Avere greeted with appreciative applause prior to the entry of the "ballet," described by the stage manager, Sgt. Ted Priestley, as the great event of the evening. The members of the ballet looked suspiciously unfeminine and, as they danced their way on to the stage lacked some of the grace usually associated with ballet dancers. However, the originality of their costimes created such laughter that it was almost impossible to hear the words of ditties on the faults and failings of officers and men of the unit. The solo vocalist in this turn was Sgt. G. A. Smith.

Among other popular items was a humorous skit by the unit twins, Sgts. R. K. and R. E. Blows, for which a burlesque setting- had been arranged by Sgt. Eric Taylor. The male quartette (Sgts. J. T. Butler, G. A. Smith, E. A. Taylor and Pte. P. L. Suckling) sang "Home On The Range" and "There'll Always Be An England," and were followed by the Hawaiian String Band (Sgt. J. Anderson and Pies. , I. Te Weri, F. Sleeman and J. McM. Rollo) in several popular melodies. The programme concluded with a community sing led by Sgt. Smith, and a presentation was made to the producer of the concert, Company Sgt.Major M. L. Poland, by Regimental Sgt.-Major G. P. Tregidga, on behalf of the men of the unit. Stage arrangements were in the hands of Sgt. Ted Priestley. After the entertainment, visitors were entertained at the Church Army Hut, officers and men of the unit waiting upon them.