“GENTLEMEN, THE LADIES!"

Evening Star, Issue 20253, 14 August 1929, Page 7

“GENTLEMEN, THE LADIES!"

ORPHANS' CLUB ENTERTAIN FAIR GUESTS One of the big events of the Dun.eclin Orphans’ Club season is the ladies’ night, and from an early hour last evening a stream of ladies with their escorts entered the Tudor Hall (the Savoy), until at starting time there were about 300 guests present. The beautiful hall was tastefully decorated and lighted, and the proceedings went with a,merry swing from start to finish. The president (Bro. George Wycherley) was in tho chair. The souvenir programme was, as usual, attractively compiled, witty_ comment being added to each item ro-* corded theron, tog ',her with versos specially written for the occasion. Half a dozen lucky guests also received as a further souvenir of the event dainty china ornaments.

lu the course of a few opening remarks the President said that tho members of tho dub were delighted to have the ladies again as their guests. Some members might prefer Scottish night, because of the haggis—or more probably because of the excellent spirit that wont with that dish—while others again thought “ hard-up ” night the best. The latter no doubt brougat back me modes of tho Saturday nights of their youth, which were often finished beneath tho canvas shelter of the pie cart. If the ladies could'only be present at a “ hard-up ” night and see the ragged, mournful, and impecunious wrecks there, said the president, there would bo such an outpouring of sympathy tli-u would astonish the husbands and lirethers and nffike them 1 wonder whether it was a request for a new hat or a “shout” to the theatre rl at was to come next. But a big percentage of the members preferred ladies’ night to any other, and they all gave their guests that night a right royal Orphans’ welcome.

The programme submitted by the members was an “all star” one, and was thoroughly enjoyed. The Club Orchestra, under Bro. E. Kerr, was present in full force, their selections being ‘ Cymbeline,’ ‘The Charm School,’ ‘Red Cross,’ and ‘Whistling,’ all splendidly played. Bro. A. H. Dale sang verv nicely a quaint little song called ‘Eat. Lil’ Feller.’ Pro. H. W. Hhnter recited ‘The Figure Head’ in effective style, and Bro. J. Clark was applauded for his rendering of ‘ The Two Grenadiers.’ One of the best offerings of tho evening, from an artistic point of view, was the piccolo solo ‘ Birds of Spring ’ by Bro. .0. Gibbons, while the ventriioquial act of Bro. H. M. Eggors and tho comic character song ‘The Pirate’ by Bro. R. Wilson Brown both kept tho audience in a roar of laughter. Bro. D. 1). Fogarty’s song, 1 Love, You Have Made Mo a Garden,’ was sung very sweetly, and Bro. S G. Angell sang ‘The Bedouin Song ’ in his usual finished style. Bro. T. J. Kirk-Burnnand made a most efficient accompanist.

The second half was taken up with an excellent nigger minstrel show by tho Orphans’ minstrel troupe, composed of Bros. Allan Young (interlocutor), C. Do R. Andrews, A. Clapp, A. N. Watson, C. Wessman, R. 15. M'Donald, H. F. Grant, T. Bachop, W. L. Booth, and (at the piano) D. Hews. Straight songs, comic songs, cross-talk, quartets, monologues, etc.', followed each other in bright procession, every one being warmly received.

The entertainment, which was a highly successful one in every way, concluded with tho singing of the club’s closing ode and, of course, the National Anthem.