A RECORD ATTENDANCE

Evening Star, Issue 21193, 29 August 1932, Page 1

A RECORD ATTENDANCE

kaikorai band popular with public Probably the largest attendance ever accommodated at a local band concert, and certainly the largest ever placed in His Majesty’s Theatre, 3,000 people, attended the Kaikorai Band recital last night. After thb 1,600 seats in the auditorium had been filled the audience completely filled the passageways, and the stage settings had to be “ struck,” the scenery and wings being removed to make room for hundreds more. It is claimed that this was a record for the theatre—the largest previous house being Sir Harry Lauder’s farewell —and there was naturally a record collection for the band. Air T. J. Kirk-Burnnand (conductor) and officers and members of the band must |iave felt extremely gratified at such unprecedented public support. The band played with excellent combination, and the tonal balance was very effective. Its programme consisted of the march ‘ Argandab ’ (Thompson), ‘The Springtime Reminds Ale of You ’ (arr. Hume), selection from ‘Rose Alarie ’ (Frim’l), the hymn ‘Rochdale’ (arr. Scottney). the popular number ‘ H& Played His Ukulele as the Ship AVent Down,’ and the march ‘ The Kiltie ’ (Morris). Bandsmen E. J. Andrews and W. J. Sinton provided a sparkling xylophone duet, ‘The Two Imps ’ (Alford), and Air J. AUCaw’s saxophone band gave a pleas-

iug performance of ‘ Maori Hula '> (arr. Frost) and ‘ The Middy (Alford), the lattel- being played with the brass band. An interesting inter, hide was provided by the Otakou Maori party, which sang part songs and solos and gave poi dances, whilst the _ sup. porting vocalists were Miss Lettie da Clifford, who sang German’s ‘ Dream o’ Day Jill ’ very charmingly, and Me Dennis Dowling, who gave a fine rendition of ' The Blind Ploughman ’ (Clarke). Miss Mollie Fowler, of Christchurch, presented several enjoy ablio elocutionary numbers, and _ Mr Norman Scurr kept the huge audience in the best of humour with some light. heartecl'Tionsense. The pianoforte accompaniments were artistically played bv Mrs T. J. Kirk-Burnnand.