A SPLENDID MATINEE

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18, 22 July 1919, Page 4

A SPLENDID MATINEE

FOE THE MOTHERS' HELP

DIVISION.

Yesterday afternoon, quite half an hcur before the matinee performance began for the benefit of the Mothers' Help .Division (W.N.8.) at His Majesty's, people were being tamed away from the doors and told tnat there was no room. The excellence of the programme promised, the popularity of tne <3t>ject for which it was given, and the fact that it was a holiday afternoon and particularly wet and boisterous, all helped to mane up quite a record audience. The first part dt the programme was given by vaudeville artists. After a good overture by Mr. Frank Crowther's orchestra, Victor the Great, Madame Cothilda, and Little Gladys accomplished a clever and novel ventciloquial act, which was heartily applauded. Mr. Billy Maloney carae nest, aud sang and mimicked cleverly, so as to earn an encore. The Kewpie iiids, a band of eight girls, quaintly costumed, gave some step dances in good style. 'Alien came Mr. Albert Russell, who as usual had an excellent reception and a hearty encore for his soldier's ditty. The " (juarrel Scene" from "A Midsummer Night's Dream" was effectively staged by Mrs. James Hannah and Miss Gladys Campbell, with special solo dances and a ballet arranged by Miss Campbell. The blending of chlours in the dresses was most artistic, and the dances were thoroughly appreciated and encored by tho audiefice. The parts were taken by Zita Chapman (Titam^), Ngaire Phipson (First Fairy), Joyce Julian (Cobweb), Hazel Hardwicke' (Puck), and Ellen Millar (Oberon). The second'pnrt of'the programme began with another, good overture by Mr, Crowthier and orchestra, a. 'melodious vocal solo being; introduced with good effect. Then followed a cheery clever ■' selection given by the Dandies, who looked partiqularly smart in scarlet and white Georgian Encores were so numerous in' this part of the entertainment that it was considerably lengthened out. Mr. Keith Kennedy played a delightful-violin solo, and as'an encore gave a descriptive, woodland piece with excellent reproductions of the songbirds. Miss Fairhall (of the Kennedy Company), who has a pure soprano voice, gave two much-appreciated songs, the first having a violin obbligato by Mr. Kennedy, while the were ; played by Mrs. Kennedy. . Mr. Norman: Aitken, a member of Charley's Aunt Club, gave two soldier story recitations, the second being an encore number. Miss Beere's contribution to the programme included a, Spanish dance by Rene Taylor, a "Dove of Peace" by little Joan Beere, " Sur les Pointes". by j Florence Heyworth—all dainty charm-ing-items, encored in 'each case; while Miss Isobol 3?ilford and.;, Captain; Hunt in the jazz "arid the ;liesitation < waltz pleased the audience so. much''that they were twice recalled. Miss Wilford's black ballet costume of frilled net) with touches of scarlet at, the,waist and corsage, was very effective and becoming. This fine programme closed with some clover, acrobatic. work by a vaudeville aptist, Decar, whose performance was both interesting and amusing.

; During the interval, the. Mayor (Mr., J. P. Luke), in a brief speech, expressed the thanks of the Mothers' Help Division to all. who had assisted in making the performance such a huge success, mentioning Messrs. Fuller, who had given up their theatre on a particularly good and profitable afternoon; the vaudeville artists, the Dandies, and the Kennedys; Mrs. Hannah and Miss Campbell; Miss'.Beere; Messrs. Russell and Aitken; the orchestra.; and all the theatre staff, ushers, box office staff, doorkeepers, and others who had helped kino, and willingly ; the press, and those who had given and sold sweets. ' "In fact," said Mr. Luke, "we want to thank everyone who has helped, and if I have forgotten anyone I am,sure the press will make it right!" At the"close of the performance, Mr. Albert Russell appeared with a fine white dove in a decorated cage, which he proceeded with much energy to auction, and succeeded in getting three bids of £5 each, one from the Hon. A. ,M. Myers,, another from Mr. M'Lennan, and a third from the Hon. T. M. Wilford. Then, as more bids were not forthcoming, " charmed he never so wisely," he suggested that the audience should see if it could hit him with coins, and a hearty good pelting ensued, which kept him and Mr. Norman Aitken busy . picking up, and which totalled £5 12s, 'making in all £20 12s. Mrs. Arthur My era and, other, members of tho committee helped with the- arrangements, and, the Sweets Committee included Mrs. Myers, Mrs. A., Gray, Mrs. Phillips-Turner, Mrs. J. D. Gray, and Mrs. Bayfield, with a number of girl helpers. This stall brought in the satisfactory sum of about £26, and the proceeds of the sale of the bird, which was arranged by Mrs. Phillips-Turnei,', made '<it up to over £46. It •is anticipated that about £300 will be the result of this fine and well-managed performance, which will be a great assistance in forwarding the work of the Mothers' Help Division. . , ,