"LADIES' NIGHT"

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 23, 22 October 1917, Page 3

"LADIES' NIGHT"

AT THE ORPHANS' CLUB. The big Town Hall was a scene of nappy animation on Saturday evening, when the Orphans , Club set cut to entertain their lady friends, ae is their animal custom. The hall was picturesque y draped with the bunting of all friendly nations, and down below the whole oi the ground floor was set out in email tables, each capable of accommodating four people. Aβ all were reserved by a box plan urrangement there was no confusion, and every table had its quota by the time (he Governor-General and the Countess of Liverpool look their Beats. Beside Their Excellencies there were present Sir Joseph and Lady Ward, Hon. Arthur Myers and Mrs. Myers, Hon. J. A. Hanan, Sir Robert Stout, and Sir James Carroll. After the National Anthem the club's eflicienl orchestra pkyed Hildreth's overture to "Titnnia." a vary sprighlly nnd melodious composition. Orphan H. Hodges selected two songs by the American song writer, Chae. Wakofield Cadman (who lias given much attention to the study of Indian melodies in the original, and who has toured with an Indian soprano, who gives expression to his musical thought). The songs chosen by Jlr. Hodges were "The Land of Sky Blue Water" and "The Moon Drops Low," both seemingly deficient in melody and rhythm, and not well suited to the singer. The cla--inet obbligato of Mr. H. Moschini was the happiest feature of these numbers. Mr. Hodges was much more ;.t home in those familiar ballads "A Big Lot of Sunshine" and the inevitable "Cominfj Home." Orphan A. E. Hunt recited with fervour Kipling's "The English Iflag," prefacing his effort with a brief recital of the event which inspired the poet to write the. noble lines. Following tho "Flag" came a comical burlesque on the melodrama, very well done indeed/ by Mr. J. Culford Bell and Mr. Vryn Evans. After tho supper inte.'ludo the orchestra played a capital fantasia on Gounod's "Faust," which earned much applause and an encore. The piece do resistance of the evening was "The Sundowners' Picnic." in which eoveral of the talented Orpliane disported themselves ae wayfarers of the accepted Australian type'in a bush setting. It wn6 "Billjim's birthday, so the camp decided to celebrate with song and dance, and did so with entertaining results. Orphin Secretary H. Wood sang that excellent drinking 6ong from "The Rose of Persia" in good 6tylo. Orphan W. Crawford as Simple Johnny" made a comedy hit with his good clowning and clever dancing. Orphan M'Kenxie sanjr "Off to Philadelphia," ami Orphan W. Goudie revived another, trusty old favourite in "The Old Brigade." Orphan J. Fraser Thompson is an ideal reciter of Australian verse and story—he is the exact type which conveys tho offhnndednesa and humour of "Billjim," which he certainly did with comic realism, racy of the soil, in "When I Lays Down Mo Tools, a sketch that convoys more than a paesing notion of."Billjim's" politics. Orphan J F Carr appeared us a sedate and elderly lady, whose speaking•woice could not'be heard down the liall. His frail sweet tenor was lienrd in a. pretty setting to Chas. Kingsley'e liiiea. My jFairest Child." Mr. J. C. 801 l lecited A Fallen Star." Mr. B. Mentes enng "Drinking," and Mr. Crawford Weetad round comically as a stray, (urate OγnhanE. A. Batte acted as chairman of Wβ Wh concert. Jlr. H. Moschini, as conductor of the orchestra, and Mr. HaroW Godier. as accompanist, contributed valuably to the eucess of the evening.