A MUSICAL OPENING.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 2914, 1 September 1925, Page 3

A MUSICAL OPENING.

TOWN PARTY ENTERTAINS

An auspicious opening to the festival was made on Friday evening a,t a concert i.n the Town Hall given before a small audience by a party of half a dozen well-known Christehurch singers a,nd elocutionistSj headed by Mr W. M. Lawry. The concert commenced with the singing of the Doxology. The Rev A. O. Harris announced the items.

There was "jollifying, heartifying'j old English melody in the folk song, '' The Ringers,'' sung with a rhythmic swing by Mr Murray Jones, who received warm applause for this and following items. Singers of such high repute as Miss Myra Edmonds and Miss Dorothy Spiller gave the concert a good tone. Miss Spiller's rich, well controlled voice trilled through the hall in such favourite melodies as "Hail Caledonia" and a list of others. Miss Edmonds, whose first song was "Tommy Lad," also won favour as s.& elocutionist. As an ambitious stage artist who was rejoicing at having received an

engagement for a small part in a London play, she spent the item in speculating what that part would be, impersonating in turn the French maid, Irish, colleen, Cockney, American flapper and such essential "small parts." It was a bit disconsolating when a later letter

informed'her that the only words she would be required to pronounce were "Yes Papa." In a recall item, she explain to his Worship, "How it Happened."

The audience let the laugh out in full force at Mr James Rodger's selection of humorous recitations. The familiar "Levinski Buys a Ford," the comic story of a Jew's experiences in motordom, and "The Man Who Apologised," Being the doings of a certain solemn citizen anl another whiskered gentleman, were well told. The musical monologue 'I do like an Egg for my Tea" brought forth a few chuckles. Assuming an air of solemnity and apologising for not wearing the conventional high collar, the same reciter proceeded to demonstrate the manner whereof modern nonconformist preachers deliver those delectable discourses that soothe Sunday evening worshippers to peaceful slumber. The inspiring lessons to be i drawn, from those beautiful words I which compose the jingle of "Old Mother Hubbard'' no doubt did the listeners a great deal of wholesome benefit.

"Tick toek, tick tock, here's a song about a clock," sang Mr Victor Peters, who proved a popular singer. The adagio chimes and light staccato ticks contrasted well. Mr Peters also sang duets with Miss Edmonds. As a finale, the mock anthem, "The Tin Tack" was given by a male quartette, p»nd a repitition was demanded. " Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep was a more solemn follow-on. An audience loves a good sprinkling of humour in any programme and fully appreciated what was presented to it on Friday. Miss Olga Wacked, a noted singer M rho was expected, was not able to attend.

At the end of a couple of hours the programme teminated with, the singing of the National Anthem.