CHARITY CONCERT

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21533, 24 July 1935, Page 7

CHARITY CONCERT

APPEARANCE OP GLADYS MONCRIEFF The charity concerts arranged by the New Zealand Broadcasting Board are welcome not only because of the substantial assistance which they give to the work of relieving distress—which is their primary purpose—but because they give to many people an opportunity of appreciating more fully the excellent concert performers brought by the board to New Zealand, The concert in the Radiant Hall last

evening was notable chiefly for the appearance of Miss Gladys Moncrieff and her accompanist, the Australian conductor and pianist, Gil Dech. But the other performers deserved none the less the splendid reception given them by a crowded audience. They were Mr Frank Perrin, an English comedian at present under engagement to the Broadcasting Board, Mr Walter Kingsley, an English baritone, Mr John Robertson, a New Zealand cornetist who has played in London with considerable success, and the Auckland violinist. Mr Vincent Aspey. Speaking during the first half of the programme, the Mayor, Mr D. G, Sullivan, M.P., expressed his appreciation of the arrangement of Miss Moncrieffs visit by the Broadcasting Board, and of the arrangement of the. concert in aid of the Mayor's distress fund. He appealed to those who were listening in to the concert to help the fund by sending in subscriptions, announcing that Miss Moncrieff had offered to autograph programmes for those who did so. Miss Moncriefr, who appeared with the Mayor, appealed also for subscriptions to the fund.

It was estimated last evening that nearly £IOO lias been added to the Mayor's fund by the concert, and it is expected that this amount will be doubled by the addition of listeners' subscriptions.

The programme began with two items by the 3YA concert orchestra, conducted by Mr Harold Beck. These were "Bal Masque" (Fletcher) and "From a Japanese Screen" (Ketelby). Mr Walter Kingsley sang, with orchestral accompaniment, three songs well suited to his robust voice. "Revenge," "King Charles." and "Sergeant of the Line," giving as an encore "The Floral Dance." Mr Frank Perrin followed, in a humorous entertainment. Three violin pieces by Mr Vincent Aspey, "Siciliano an Rigaudon," "Aloha Oe," and "Scherzo," were fully appreciated. Miss Moncrieff chose a number of songs from musical comedy. The audience did not wait to hear her before showing its appreciation; but | the enthusiasm at her first appearance was doubled when she had sung wellknown songs from "The Arcadians," "One Night of Love." and "The Chocolate Soldier." Her manner delighted the audience, which responded at once both to her voice and her personality. Later, the orchestra played "Serenade" (Heykens). Gil Dech presented some piano novelties, and Mr Robertson played, with the orchestra. "Showers of Gold." "The Debutante," and "The Rosary." The concert ended with another orchestral piece, "Down in Zanzibar" (Ancliffe).