LADIES’ PIPE BAND

Evening Star, Issue 19017, 12 August 1925, Page 6

LADIES’ PIPE BAND

GOOD PIPING, MARCHING, AND DAKCiHfi Appearing for the first time in Dunedin at Burns Hall last night, the Australian Scottish Ladies’ World-tour Pipe Band quite justified its claim to be Scottish. And one may suppose that that claim was established to the satisfaction of the Dunedin Highland Pipe Band before the concert, for our kilties turned out and played to the hall, and gave a rousing performance in Macaudrew street as a welcome and an announcement to the crowds ip the thoroughfares. Such a recognition would not have been forthcoming without full credentials. More to the point, the Dunedin Highlanders testified during the concert to their high appreciation of the essentially Scottish perfoftnancos—the marching, the piping and drumming, and the dancing. Maybe that is the true order of merit. The marching is excellent. Individually the pipers employ _ to the fullest advantage the ceremonial strut and poise and the air of abstraction which are characteristic of the Highlander with the pipes, and collectively the nine pipers and four drummers are in lovely precision In all their figure marching and counter-marching, this being quite a feature of the band’s work, though it had to bo shorn of its completeness by the smallness of the platform. The pin«'-playing, too, is distinctly pood. Experts present declare that it reached a very high standard last night. The dancing, it may bo added, is characterised by steadiness and a plentiful variety of steps. And throughout the essential factor of Scottish fervor was continuously in evidence. Traces of Hie Australian _ influence were discernible in .some things —in the singing and reciting, and in the comedy interludes—but this merely gave a sort of flavor, and did not in the least detract from the band’s real Bcotcbness.

Drum-major Wra. Darwin, the organiser and director, proved his worthiness for his responsibility, lie having firm control of the band in every particular, and ho also performed acceptably as a singer and a staff-swinger, besides making the announcements in such a manner ns to interest the audience. The solo pipers who appeared wera Pipers, Stanbridge, Buchanan, Innes, Young, and MTherson. They were listened to wliTi mur t h pleasure by the audience at large, and those present who have made a study or the subject say that the playing proved correct and diligent study. The solo dancers were Jean Madsen and Gertie Oliver, a pair who in partnership danced as one. Miss Oliver is tho chamnion Highland dancer of Australia. The (reels given during the evening were quite a specialty. Not a false or hesitating step. The drumming trio by Drummers Layburn, Scott, and Yeates deserves special mention, being accurate and clever. , , Drummer Bates, the reciter of the party, possesses a strong and clear voice, and in each item convoyed the words clearly, besides getting the true interpretation. . The singers were Drum-major Darwin. Flora Ash, Molly Innes, and Dolly MTherson. Nearly everything was encored, and in the choruses and dancing the audience let go with frequent vocal accompaniments of varying kind. The pianoforte work of Mrs W. Layburn was of the greatest value, always alert and dependable. Obviously this lady is a tower of strength to the company. Another entertainment will be given this evening.