HUGE CROWD AT CONCERT

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21721, 2 March 1936, Page 12

HUGE CROWD AT CONCERT

TAKINGS MORE THAN £270 POPULAR PROGRAMME In its long history, the Theatre Royal at Christchurch can seldom have had such a big attendance as that which attended last evening the concert given by members of the “White Horse Inn” company, to aid the fund which has been opened for the wife and family of Squadron Leader M. C. McGregor. Each of the many items on a long and varied programme was greeted with applause from every section of the crowded house, and the evening was an exceptional success. The sale of tickets, of programmes, of “white horses,” and the proceeds from an auction, amounted to the excellent total of £270, and there were no expenses of any kind. Further sums are yet to come in. Mr P. R. Climie, secretary to the Canterbury Aero Club, who was chairman of the general committee controlling the fund, made a brief speech, thanking all those Who had assisted. Takings at the Aero Club’s pageant yesterday afternoon had been more than £220. With the receipts from the concert, £470 had been raised, and a few returns yet to come in from the pageant would, it was hoped, bring the total to £SOO. Mr Climie thanked first of all the J. C. Williamson Company for the free use of the theatre, and the Municipal Electricity Department for free lighting, and the whole of the “White Horse Inn” company for the wholehearted energy, efficiency, and enthusiasm which they had shown in arranging the concert, and making it such an outstanding success. Mr Climie also acknowledged the indebtedness of the committee to the newspapers of the city for the generous publicity given , the pageant and concert, those -who had assisted with the programmes, the Tramway Board for free advertising space. Coulls, Somerville, and Wilkie for printing the posters. There were many who might be overlooked in the allocation of thanks, but he wished generally to thank everyone who had in any way helped. Everyone approached had been willing and keen to assist in'the appeal. The Programme The programme given was as follows:—Overture, “The White Horse Inn,” the J. C. Williamson Orchestra, conducted by Mr Harry Burton; pianoforte solos, Miss Lome Wafer; "Some Interruptions,” Charles Albert and Don Nicol; soprano solp, “One Pine Day,” Miss Daphne Lowe; solo dance. Miss Audrey Eskill; “Some Cross Talk” Miss Grade Emerson and A 1 Mack; soprano solo, “Bill” from “Showboat,” Miss Romola Hansen; dancing items, Robert Butt and Norman Berriganj

songs, Mr Herbert Browne; trumpet solo, Ted Lee (of Hamilton) and orchestra; poi dance, Pat McMinn (Auckland), with Miss Lome Wafer at the piano; negro impersonations, Colin Crane; excerpts from “The Belle of New York,” Miss Marie Ann Conan; humour, Alfred Frith; soprano solo, “Jewel Song,” from Faust,” Miss Miriam Lester, with Norman Carson at the piano; tap-dance specialty, Fred Murray; contralto solo, Miss Sara Stackpool (Auckland); character duo, "Mexicano.” Miss Edna Emmett and George Carden; vocal duet, "Goodnight,” Miss Romola Hansen and Mr Herbert Browne; “chalk talks,” Don Nicol. , Mr H. Gladstone Hill was stage manager. After the concert, a programme,' bound in leather, and autographed, was put up for auction, realising a substantial amount.