IRISH CONCERT.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20499, 18 March 1932, Page 12

IRISH CONCERT.

A CROWDED AUDIENCE. ' j With the traditional patriotism and enthusiasm of the Irish,; the yery large attendance at St; James' Theatre last evening showed unbounded appreciation of the grand Irish national concert• in aid 6f Nazareth House, will benefit appreciably. * •Typically Irish throughout) the programme was given an auspicious opening, by the Christchurch Returned Soldiers ' Orchestra, conducted by Mr H. G. Glaysher, in a splendid interpretation of "The Shamrock." This was followed by a chorus by the MaristBrothers' boys, "O'Donnell Abu.'' A clarinet solo by Mr F. W. Woledge was well received, and Mr Robert Allison, singing the ever-popular "Rose of Tralee," was persuaded to jive as a recall '' Toreador." The appearance of Madam Winnie Fraser, singing the stirring "For the Greenand '.'Dear Little Shamrock," was welcomed with applause; and after Mr J. Lockhart had amused with " Phil the Fluter's Ball," an Irish Reel was danced by pupils of Miss Muriel Waugh—Misses Lorraine Lagan, Flora Fitt, Eileen Manion, and Josephine Mercer. The first half of the programme was concluded by Miss Cecily Audibert in two pleasing songs, "The Kerry Dance'' and "Barney O'Hay." "Memories of Tara" was the overture by the orchestra after the interval, and girls from the combined convent schools sang two choruses, "The Harp That Once," and "Erin, the Tear and the Smile." Mr Herbert Fox gave as a cornet solo a composition by F. W. Woledge, "By the Avon," and Lorraine - Lagan and Josephine Mercer danced a pretty . Dutch duo- ' Two artists who had appeared in the earlier half again sang exceedingly well, Madame Winnie Fraser giving "Let Erin Remember" and "Looking for You"; and Miss Audibert the enchanting "Killarney" and "A Little Bit of Heaven." Mr W, Toomey. Bang " The Minstrel Boy," and as a recall "The Arrow and 1 the Song"; Mr A. L. Currie gave a -humorous recitation; sind . the concert was concluded by an Irish Hornpipe by boys front St. Joseph's Middlcton.

During the interval, Bishop M. J. Brodie thanked the organisers and societies which had workied for the concert, and said that its success surpassed that of recent years.