WILLIAM HEUGHAN.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19736, 28 September 1929, Page 8

WILLIAM HEUGHAN.

A GREAT SCOTTISH ARTIST. Not many years ago such • title as tho above would have sounded a contradiction in terms. Everywhere and at all times, Scots have been recognised good business men, their engineers are famed for their skill, their surgeons are leaders in their profession. A long list could soon be made out of the things at which the Scots have been acknowledged great. In the arts it is very different, especially if concerned with music and singing. Scottish literature and songs have received, in a wide sense, the stamp of greatness, but their singers have not been recognised by the world of music as great Wagner on meeting a Scotsman said. "Oh, you come from that land of beautiful songs, but where the people neither know how to sing nor appreciate the.n." Heughan undertook a tremendous tusk when he not only dared to say he was Scottish, but actually showed it by proudly wearing the kilt, a dress never before associated with a great singer. He was warned by many friends after the war, what prejudice he would have to face, as it had been used in such a disgraceful way by "Scotch Comics." Few could guess what a tremendous fight he has had to put up before convincing people that a Scot may not only sing Scottish goners, but soags of other nationalities as well, that he is at last recognised as an artist of the front rank, in a truly international sense. He appears at the Caledonian Hall for two goodbye concerts prior to leavinit for Canada and thn Cnited States. The dates ore October 4th and sth. The box plan is at The Bristol.