GAELIC CLUB

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 40, 16 August 1937, Page 3

GAELIC CLUB

SUCCESSFUL CEILIDH

The most successful Ceilidh ever held by the Gaelic Club took place on Saturday evening. Mrs. A. Mac Vicar presided, and amongst the many visitors present were Mr. A. Mac Donald and Mrs. Goodsir from the Auckland Gaelic Club, and Mr. J. D. Anderson from Gordon College, Aberdeen. Mr. Anderson, who is on a brief visit to New Zealand, is the first winner of the Otaki Shield, and his appearance at the Ceilidh in Highland costume • created a great deal of interest. The proceedings opened, as usual, with a selection by the club pipe bane under Drum-Major J. Graham. This - was followed by the Grand March and Reel, led by Pipers W. Chisholm and -N. MacLeod. The club orchestra, i under the leadership of Mr. W. New-1 - lands, played the overture "Roderick • Dhu" as an introduction to the feature S of the evening, a three-act play written i and arranged by Mrs. G. Gunn, entitled "Loyal Hearts," a romance based on " Prince Charlie's escape from Skye after '. the disastrous battle of Cullqden. Great credit is due to the organisers and participants for the splendid inter- ■ pretation given of a famous historical : episode. Skilfully worked in as a . diversion from the serious theme of the play was the representation of a ceilidh in a Highland home. During the course of the play, Gaelic songs were sung by Mary Smith, Mrs. MacWhinnie, and Mr. Gordon Macßain; I Jacobite songs by Mrs.^Gunn and Mr. lA. MacGougan;- Miss Gracie McKay gave a selection on the pipes, Miss Betty Maxwell a selection of Highland airs on the harp, and Alasdair MacArthur selections on the violin; Helen Gunn danced the Highland Fling, Nancy Mac Donald the Seann Triubhais, Ella MacDiarmid the Irish Jig, and Mr. W. Macrae the sword dance. PipeMajor Angus Graham, whilst giving a most realistic and finished performance as Dugald the Piper, supplied the music for the dancers. Mrs. A. Mac Vicar gave a sgeulach, and Mr. D. MacDiarmid a short poem on Skye. Gaelic choruses were sung by the company forming the Ceilidh, and these were led by Mr. Angus Graham on a miniature set of beautifully-made pipes and Alasdair Mac Arthur on the violm. The play finished up with the singing of "Bonnie Charlie' noo awa'" by a number of the club children. After supper was served under the supervision of Mrs. J. Mac Arthur, the rest of the evening was devoted to dancing under the direction of Mr. D. MacDiarmid as M.C. The dance music was supplied by Mrs. London, Piper Norman Mac- , Leod, and the club orchestra.