"LADIES' NIGHT."

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 569, 26 July 1909, Page 9

"LADIES' NIGHT."

AMONG THE WELLINGTON SAVAGES

It is tho pleasant custom of tho Wellington Savage Club for its members to entertain in stylo their wives, sisters, cousins, and aunts with, music, song, and story of a light and airy character, and in doing so to get as far away as possiblo from tho formal concert, as is compatible with that form of reasoning which says that a little nonsonso now and then is relished by the wisest men. Not that Saturday evening's entertainment at the Town Hall was sheer unadulterated nonsense. The ■Italent" concerned 'was-'of an order that moritonously reflected the jollity, chiefly vocal in character, which obtains at tho fortnightly "kororos" of the club, happy in the possession of somo of tho brightest spirits in Wellington City The chair was occupied by Mr T M Wilford, as Chief Savage, who was supported as guests in chief by his Excolloncj ijae Governor (who was accompanied by Captain Shannon, A.D C), the Hon Jas. Carroll (Acting-Prime Minister), the Hons. J. A. Millar and Geo Fowlds, and Justices Chapman and Williams. Tho entertainment I was held m the Concert Chamber, which was I elaborately hung with rongh tapestries in I tho texture of which thoso with an innei knowledge could detect scveial of the most prominent savages performing those deeds of t valour which have earned them honourable mention in the working degree of the lodge, whilst tho weird insignia of the tribe, with an embryonic museum of implements of destruction, gave a touch of savagery, not in the least appropriate to tho origin of tho Savage Club, which was really founded in London by Mr. Richard Savage and some of tho Bohemian bloods of fifty years ago The programme opened with a selection from (l The Geisha" by an orchestra conducted by Savage D. Kenny, followed immediately by a chorus of welcome, "Hail to Our Guests," sung with admirable spirit by an' evening-dressed dozen Savages* who held possession of tho platform whilst Mr. Leslie Hill sang delightfully, "Grow, Little Mushroom, Grow," to which was appended a harmonised chorus. Mr. V. Meredith had tho samo assistanco in his song, "Tho Moon has his Eyes on You." Mr J. F. Carr's sweet little tenor voice was heard to advantage in "Love's Young Dream." Thereafter the programme took on a vaudevillc-cum-operatio tint, and the proceedings waited merrier. Savage J. Harrison orated humorously in the guise of Oom Paul, and later gavo some sidelights on the life of an Italian organ-grinder and his "monk" in an excellent "make-up" Savage Killick with tho aid of a number of bniliant ,sketeh.es told the real story of tho leceiit •search for the South Polo, in which Shackleton a»d his men woro really only local membors of tho Savage Club in disguise. One of tho most popular items was the Kennymatograph" would bo useless to contend that the existence of Lieutenant Shackleton, Professor David, and Co. was anything other than a "bluff to tho world. Ono of tho most popular items was tho "Konnj matograph"— the latest advance in animated photography, in. which a startlingly lifelike portrait of Savage Kennj was thrown , on tho piano-stool, and to the surpiiso of everyone sang and played as to the manner born Theatrical managers on the look-out for smart novelties should examine this latest and greatest invention) which combines the living picture with the voice. Then Savages R. Watts, W. M'Both, and A. D. Kennedy, chalk specialists, got to work on difforent canvases, each 'defying the audience to guess what they were sketching. \, After the List da-b tho section's were joined up, and lo! a stage-sizo picture of the Dreadnought The naval spirit influenced the programme at once On rolled a dozen harp-chested Jack Tars with aggressive noses to mask their individuality, commanded by Savago U. Phmmor, who sang that ho was the captain of tho Pinafore, a statement emphasised by a rollicking chorus and dance Savage Fletehor, a tuneful, lyrical tenor, intoned "Tom Bowling" nicely; Savago E. Parkes's suporb bantono was hoard in tho rousing ditty "Go to Sea",andSavage Gardner emulated the skylark at morn, in a whistling solo. Chiof Savago Wilford'dropped the dignity of his high office to. tell.aifew smart stories, and to; sing about' ithose things which 'occurred' wiien. he was a : boy ■ at-school. The - last and one , of .the best, ■item's; on the programme wereVthe military manbpuvres held before General E. J.'-Hill (with charger), who sang "When I First' Put, '■this;/Uniform..On," from ."Patience," .with' great;spirit.; A.fine backing was supplied;;!)} , vthe "Army," whose uniforms >.werb not 'ex..actly 'uniform; vying . with ' their noses for diversity of colour and form. 1 .-.,.'' . ■ ■ ' .>-■ On-the cessation of the. applause, the 'audience;- wWch: packed every inoh of space.'in ■the hall and .bulged out into' the corridor, ■adjourned' to the' big .hall, below, still-.gor-geously l in its race-ball .raiment, '■ ;whereVsupper (supplied by Mr. J., Godber) ; and :daricing were equally available up '. till midnight. v 'fo-this, part of the: proceedings reference: is made in ; the ''Woman's World" ; columns , ' in.this issue. V : '.';.; \.-v- r ;■■<"; - .y-C >> : '-. :For. the success,of the entertainment spe-" 'ciaL mention; is deserved by'. Savage ,;JW Dykes (secretary), Savage Dl Kenny ■ (coniductor- and accompanist), and Savage A. W; ■Newton (stage' manager)..', ■;. . v '•'■ .;."'