NORMANBY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 March 1928, Page 3

NORMANBY.

(From Our Own Correspondent-. 1 VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT. Tiie Town Hall at Normanby was packed to the doors on Wednesday evening, when the Tennis Club provided what has been aptly termed a fitting finish to a successful show. An exceptionally fine variety programme was presented, the various solo and concerted numbers showing ] careful training, while a liberal number of humorous sketches kept the large audience in a constant simmer of amusement. Presented against a background of a well-painted seascape, the ladies in pretty, evening frocks ana the men in tennis regalia, the whole company made a great showing. With a chorus of twenty-two, the concerted items were especially good from the opening chorus, ‘‘There’s everything nice about you,” till the grand finale, ‘‘Community Land.” Everything went with a great swing, the audience showing appreciation <>. the different items in no uncertain manner.

Following the opening, Master Fred Tilley sang “Mons” very effectively. Then came two lialf-minute sketches, in the first of which Misses Madge Fletcher, Cecilia Arden, and Marjory Mills showed how a lady went about buying a hat. By way of contrast, Messrs G. Graydon and Geo Galloway depicted how a mere man would do likewise. Next followed Miss Jean MjacLachlan in a dance demonstration.. In this item, and again in the second half of the programme, she had to respond to loudly demanded encores. Mr. Frank Mills’s violin solo,

‘‘Melody of Love,” was played very expressively; he also was encored. Messrs A. Galloway, C. Franklin, and Alex. Paine showed in an amusing sketch that ‘‘You never know women.”

Miss H. Franklyn sang a solo, “Roses,” and for an encore gave “Lay my iiead beneath a rose,” both items being nicely rendered. Next came “Glow Worms,” a concerted number in which Miss M. Mills took the solo. The chorus in this number was veryfine ; with all lights out, the ladies carried coloured torches, which gave an effective and appropriate touch tc the setting. Another sketch illustrated the difficulties of running a railway station — Mr. Alex. Paine as the porter, Miss Thelma Arden as the girl, Mr. Alex. Galloway as the stationmaster, and Messrs R. Hooper and R. Cockerton impersonating two .burglars, created much amusement in this interlude, which was indeed well acted.

The popular duettists, Miss Nina Kilvington and Mr. Alex. Galloway, sang “There is a garden” in good style. This item was extremely well received.

As her solo number Miss Marjory Mills sang “A Bowl of Roses” very pleasingly. “Waiting for the Rainbow,” with Miss Hilda Franklyn as soloist, supported by the whole company in tiie chorus, was accorded an encore. Messrs Alex. Paine, Alex. Galloway, Cyril Franklyn, and Miss Hilda Franklyn humorously showed what was likely Lo happen to a man through backing a certainty in the Normanby Handicap. This was aptly termed “The Punters’ Dilemma.” The methods employed to raise enough money to finance the bet were certainly original, although unlikely to lie imitated. To the audience this sketch was highly diverting. “My Blue Heaven” was splendidly sung by Mr. George Galloway.

With a distinct nautical flavour, the final sketch, ‘‘All Aboard,” was given a great reception. In the various characters Messrs Alex, Paine, James Wilson Alex. Galloway, Leo Frankiyn, Phil Tippett, Misses Doreen and Hilda Lloyd, Messrs Cyril Franklyn and it. Hooper, all showed to good advantage, the number providing much merriment. Mr. Alex. Galloway’s solo, ‘‘Just a rose in old Killarney” was well rendered. The programme concluded with the grand finale “Community Land,” and thus ended what has *been voted one of the best entertainments yet staged locally. iMiss Aina Kilvington played the accompaniments, and she was assisted in the chorus nmnbers by Mr. Frank Mills and his violin. . Miss Thelma Arden was assistant accompaniste. Mr. A. J. Hopcroft was stage manager. . During the performance Mr. Hopcroft, on behalf of the Horticultural Society, thanked the .Tennis Club for arranging the programme, and said that the society was deeply grateful for what had been done. Mr. A. Paine briefly replied, and said that the Tennis Club had been happy to be of assistance, also that the concert party had been amply repaid for the work done by the large attendance and enthusiastic reception of. the effort put forward. The performers were afterwards entertained at supper by the ladies’ committee. . The show funds will benefit largely as a result of the entertainment, which was followed by a dance, Miss Thelma Arden providing the music. Mr. W. J. Taylor was M.G. HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. RESULT OF COMPETITIONS. Weight-guessing. —Sheep. Messrs W. T. Hair and B. C. Gibson both guessed the correct weight, 671 b. The pig weighed 191 b, Mr. James Linn, the winner, guessing the correct weight. No. 1 cake weighed 71b 9oz. No less than seven persons guessed within loz, and as no one guessed the correct

weight the winner was .drawn for, Miss J. Par slow being the lucky one. No. 2 cake weighed 91b, the nearest guess being Mr. F. Piclgeon’s 81b 15J oz. The chain stepping was won by Mr. B. C. Gibsoi.. In the previous notes Mr. John Campbell’s name was inadvertently omitted from the list of poultry stewards. i