COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 71, 24 March 1920, Page 3

COMPLIMENTARY CONCERT

FAREWELL TO MR. W. W. CRAWFORD. \ It has been said that there have recently been too many public concerts, that people are tired of vocal progrAmmej, but that, of course, depends upon the programmes, and any such statements were given the contradiction direct iaet evening when the accommo: datiou at the Town Hall proved insufficient to seat all those who had hoped to play their part in bidding farewell, per medium of a. grand complimentary concert', arranged! by the Orphans' and other Clubs, to Mr. W. W. Crawford, who is leaving New Zealand shortly as a member of the Digger Troupe of Entertainers, who are to tour Australia under the J. G.. Williamson management in the near future. The audience was an exceptional one. the programme was .excellent, and that excellence was fully appreciated—the concert was a, great success. ■. ■ • A selection played by the Caledonian Society's Pipe Band and the dancing of the Highland'reel by four of Wellington's brightest dancers, . Misses . . Campbell, Barnes, Adair, and M'Kenzie, opened the programme. The first vocalist to appear was' Mr. Verdi M'Kenzie, who made a happy choice in "Up From' Somerset," and responded to his recall with "The Deep Bassoon," splendidly done. A dramatic recital, "Julius Caesar," was splendidly given by Mr. Culford Bell, but it was in Kipling's' tragic marching poem "Boots" that he was most successful. . Mr. Mar,tin Duff, sang first "O Sole Mio," ("Beneath Thy Window"), and as an encore number "Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes," two numbers, which found him at his best. • The contralto solos "Threnody" (Holmes) and "Butterflies" were sung by Miss Cleon Fernandos with very fair 'success. . Mr. Rupert Meates sang. "Blow, Blow Thou Winter Wind," and when recalled "Salaam." Two of Wallace's Freebooter songs, "Minnie Song" and "Cradle Song" ("Son of :Mme") were vigorously sung by Mr. Hamilton Hoclges, and as a third number he gave the quieter and sweet. "On Wings of Song" (Mendelssohn). Members of the Diggers' troupe figured largely in the second part of the programme, and as ever they were 'received with the warmest applause. The tenor of the troupe, Mr. S. Laslett Exton, sang "Love, Here is. My Heart," and his re? . call numbers and dainty "Spri? of. Bnxonia" (Florence Hull) and Daisy M'Gcogh's "Secret of the Tide." Miss Helen Gardner sang "Partners" . and "Jcunesse" daintily and altogether to the satisfaction of the'audience. Mr. Crawford, who was received in the warmest manner, gave first the Dickens characterisation "Scrooge,".aiid in lighter mood, very much lighter, "Water Scenes" and & nonsensical character, portrayal and breakdown dance. In a few words he expressed his thanks to the audience for their expression of appreciation of his past work. When mention is made of lighter turns Mr. Albert Russell must certainly. not .be passed over. His "Signora," "Alphonse," and his portrayal of a mashing army man were delightful.. "Wild Thyme" as sung by Stan Lawson and Oliver Perkins, of the Diggers, is too well and favourably known to require further comment. Mr. G. P. Hanna repeated his clever sketching work, arid as a finale the Diggers presented a nonsense sketch "The Pride of the Pier," wherein Stan Lawson and Tano Fama provided the greater part of the fun.- The Diggers' orchestra supplied an overture, and artistic accompaniments to vocal items given by members of the troupe. For the pianoforte accompaniments, the sin-' • gers and the audience were indebted to Mr. Frank Thomas. '