MUSICAL CIRCLE.

Evening Star, Issue 18333, 21 July 1923, Page 9

MUSICAL CIRCLE.

•—Vaudeville and Its Votaries. —

In spit-o of the inclement weather and the prevailing ’flu, a goodly number of members assembled and listened with much interest to Mrs S. M. Park, who spoke upon the above subject. Introduced by the chairwoman (Miss May Barron), Mrs Park took her listeners right far back into tire feudal baronial days when each, castle had its own special entertainer, who often was a one-man band, singer, acrobat—tho whole bag of tricks. She spoke of troubadours, jongleurs, minstrels, ballad mongers, mountebanks, and gipsy songsters, all of whom were the real ancestors of the music hall artist of to-day, for these .itinerant entertainers, in process of time, settled in towns and entertained in buildings or halls, thus evolving the music ball. She explained tho progress of music and musicians with telling point and much humor. Very interesting was tho history of the evolving of tho music of the classes in feudal times down tho ages - until it had become to-day tho music of tho masses. Mrs Park spoke of the evolution of vaudeville in our own city from tho lime of the popular Saturday " Pops ” in the old Garrison Hall, with tho late John Fuller in charge, to the entertainment provided nightly at the. Princess Theatre. In conclusion, she spoke of the splendid influence of the Press in keeping up the. tone of a show, being a very powerful factor in keeping “ pep ” within bounds. Sho advocated the early musical education of the child in the home and in the school, that be might naturally appreciate to tho full the trim artist, and In listening to all classes of entertainment might instinctively cull the worthy and’ discard the dross. During the discourse many items were introduced illustrative of various forms of music hall entertainment. Miss Dalrytuple played ragtime pleasingly, Miss Hcywood featured tho serio-comic in a dainty ragtime skit, with accompanying dance, and Miss Lorna Smith sang a ballad most beautifully ; while Mrs Park, assisted by the company, “ put over ” some of tho funny songs so closely associated with vaudeville. Miss Florrio AFGcorge made an efficient accompanist. At the close of an amusing and instructive evening, Mrs Grecnslade returned a hearty veto ol thanks to Mrs Park for the trouble she must have gone to in preparing such an educative, paper. Among those present wore Mesdamcs Hutchison, Blurs, James Begg, Glcndinning, Begg, Aslin, Priest, Taylor, Greensladc, Mason, Shea-Lav,dor, Connor, Lc Gran, Cowie, M'Crorio, Misses Burton (2), M. Smith, Whitson, Holland, Dalrymple, Wood, James, Power, Reynolds, Lorna Smith.