SONG AND LAUGHTER

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 264, 3 August 1933, Page 7

SONG AND LAUGHTER

Bright Hour at Town Hall COMMUNITY SINGING One of the brightest hours of the week to a great many i>eople in Wellington is the Wednesday community sing at the Town Hall in aid of the Mayor’s Relief Fund. Probably owing to the brilliant sunshine and the'genial air yesterday the big hall was not quite so well filled as usual, and this had its reflection in the receipts, which yesterday amounted tb £l7/18/10. The usual jolly chorus singing, led by Messrs. Owen Pritchard and Will J. Mason was interspersed with ear-tick-ling -pianoforte solos by Mr. Frank Crowther, whose clever improvisations are extremely popular, and baritone solos by Mr. W. Crewes, who sang “The Sailor's Paradise” and “Because I Wur Shy” in admirable style. This singer should be heard more frequently. Referring to the interpolation of solos, Mr. 13. Palliser (chairman of the committee) said that while an occasional solo was always welcome, it was not the intention to go too far in that direction. After all, it was a “community sing,” and those present were the performers. He had received many offers by singers to assist, and because of the reason given had on occasions to turn them down. He, however,/wished to assure such people that they were grateful ’for the offer, but refusals must be taken in the proper spirit. They did not wish the “sings” to become concerts.

Mr. Owen Pritchard went through his budget of letters in his usual cheery manner. His correspondents usually cover their generosity in a diaphanous camouflage of personal affection for the song leaders and accompanists, and their effusions and Mr. Pritchard’s comments make excellent entertainment.

During yesterday’s sing Mr. Pritchard made his audience gasp by telling them that at a recent community sing in the Civic Theatre, Christchurch, the •sum of £76 was collected to relieve distress, £42 of which was taken at the door.