COROMANDEL NEWS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 51, Issue 3176, 30 September 1942, Page 6

COROMANDEL NEWS

£6O RAISED

PATRIOTIC PANDEMONIUM FUNCTION AT COROMANDEL VERY SUCCESSFUL EVENING On Friday, September 25, the Caledonian Theatre, Coromandel, was packed to capacity when the Coromandel Repertory Theatre produced its second Pandemonium” in several parts, followed by a carnival dance in St. George’s Hall. The opening item was the male voice sextette in an unusual but striking portrayal of the song of the “Volga Boatmen.” The scene depicted the boatmen pulling the boat along the Volga, the scenery and general interpretation (being very realistic. The voices blended well and the item was well received and applauded. Those taking part in this item were Messrs E. W. Gilliver, A. McLellan, S. Barker, T. Pringle, R. V. Hawley and R. Pepper. Next followed a one-act play entitled “Before i Breakfast.” The woman was Mrs Alma Barker and the man Mr Stuart Barker. The scene was depicted in a tenement kitchen in New York. Acted and produced by Mrs Alma Barker in her usual realistic manner, the play, proved immensely popular. - Vocal items by Mr A. McLellan came next on the programme. The numbers were, “Sally Horner,” loudly encored, which was followed by “The Sweetest Call.” Remarkable Dual Role The next item was ’Mr Erie Gilliver' in a remarkable dual role —in the first part, seated on the end of a seat in Hyde Park, he took the part of a tramp who was talking to one who appeared to be a “toff,” sitting on the other end of the seat. The idea portrayed that he supposed he was not good enough to sit alongside the “toff,” but he recited a conversation, after which he rose and walked away. The second part depicted the “toff” with dark glasses and stick, and portrayed the part he had played at Cambria and ending with the words “Pm blind.” —An exceptionally well-acted dual role, and very well received and loudly applauded, the unusual theme proving very attractive. Vocal solos by Coromandel’s /Popular Girl, Miss Gloria Ngapo—“When They Sound the Last All Clear” and “Faithful For lEver,” were pleasingly sung and well received. A comedy called “Backyard Backchat,’ ’by Eric Gamble and Noel Strongman raised screams of laughter as they acted the parts of two washerwomen hanking out their washing. Both were dressed the part, even to the figures of the characters of Mrs Higgins and Mrs Muggins. After “slinging off” at each other’s washing, they espied a passer-by and got quite chummy in discussing what she had on, etc.,' and in the end Mrs ’lggins went to “’avc a cup er tea and a couple ’er ’ard boiled heggs” with Mrs Muggins arm-in-arm and on the best of terms. This was the first appearance of these two youthful actors and it is hoped it will not be the last. The whole item proved immensely popular.

Vocal solos by Mr Stuart Barker, “Friend o’ and “For You Alone,” followed. Mr Barker is a well-known figure in Australia, being one of its leading tenor soloists for the Broadcasting 'Commission. Both the songs were well known and were very much. appreciated and loudly applauded. The appearance on the stage of the Kennedy’s Bay Maori choir was next op the programme. They gave two musical action songs and then a haka. All were well rendered and. their popularity Avas evidenced by the deafening applause. The voices, as always in these* Maori choruses, blended and harmonised beautifully and the actions added to the general success. One huge Maori, weighing approximately 26 stone, led the haka, causing screams of laughter. Harold Carey in the role of a singing cowboy, (although in uniform, being just back from Suva), gave two of his popular yodelling cowboy songs, which received vociferous applarfee. A modern comedy play entitled “After Dinner,” was next on the programme and proved f very amusing. Taking place in a middle-class household in London, in the earlier and more attractive part of this century. Mr and Mrs Dorrington planned to give their servants an extra treat in recognition of their faithful service. They had the staff up into the dining room to break the glad news of the treat, and the play depicted the reactions and manner of reception of the idea by the various

members of the staff. —One could not think of accepting a seat at the theatre without an extra one for her fiance; anothei* didn’t approve of theatres; the cook could not go unless she took her nephew and a seat should be available for him. In the middle of it all, the casual handyman appeared and when questioned as to his name he replied, “Gale, sir, —think of wind.” He was slightly humpbacked, and appeared somewhat simple and when Mr Dorrington informed him that the special treat was only for the permanent staff he took out hi s notebook and started to read his schedule of duties, inferring that he also should have a treat. His actions throughout were exceptionally well carried out. He brought screams of laughter* when he sat down next to the parlourmaid and started admiring her legs, as she sat swinging one over the other. Finally Mrs Dorrington was reduced to tears, and appeared completely exhausted, while Mr Dorrington ap-. peared to be a thoroughly exasperated man.

The portrayal of the comedy was very w r ell acted and was a credit to those taking part. The roles were taken by the following: Mr and Mrs Dorrington, Miss Thirle Darling and Mr Darrel Stewart; members of the staff: Mrs Madge Ruthe, Miss Velma Davies, Miss Irene Pepper Mrs Mona McKee, Miss Jean Ecclestone; handy-man, Ron Pepper. The play was produced by Drs. Edna and Frank Birkinshaw, who also devised the scenery.

The concluding item was a musical action song by the male voice sextette entitled “Clementine.” Dressed as gold - miners in the ’sixties, with their pans and picks, they acted the parts as depicted in the song “Clementine,” ending up with the death of . Clementine (Miss J. Eccelstone). A very pleasing item which everyone enjoyed. The accompanist was Miss C. McNeil. Special mention must be made of the time and trouble put in by Mr IR. V. Hawley as stage manager. I Mr Hawley’s contribution behind the scenes proved a very big assistance to the evening’s programme and is deserving of special thanks —partii cularly in view of the fact that his ! were the unnoticed but necessary tasks that always accompany an effort of this kind.

The National Anthem brought the first half of the evening’s entertainment. to a close, when the crowd crossed over into St. George’s Hall for the dance.

A large crowd took part in the dancing while others enjoyed the fun looking on. Various competitions were held throughout the evening and were the means of raising a substantial quota towards the effort. Popular music was supplied by Mrs E. M. Lucas (piano) and Lee Perfect (drums), assisted by Mr Carey’s Port Charles Orchestra and the Kennedy’s Bay Fox Trot Band. An extra medley dance was played by Mrs D. Stewart. I Engagement Announced During the dance Dr. Birkenshaw made a special announcement: the engagement of Miss Eva Bell and Mr Harold Carey. The couple were helped up on a table while the crowd sang “For They Are Jolly Good Fellows.” Congratulations were forthcoming from all directions, the engaged pair’ both being popular residents of the community. Supper was served and very much appreciated, after which dancing continued till 2.30 a.m. Mr Murphy, on behalf of Dr. Birkenshaw, returned thanks to the members of the Repertory Theatre for the wonderful effort they had put forward, giving a large amount of time and trouble to make the evening such a success. He also wished to thank the musicians for the excellent music they had provided voluntarily; and those who had been responsible for the putting on of the supper—it proving a big task with such a large crowd. He intimated , that the approximate proceeds of the concert, dance and competitions were £6o—thus proving a bumper effort on behalf of a popular girl, “Miss Coromandel.”

He also stated he had received advice from Thames that the Coromandel candidate in the popular Girl coptest was now in second place. Coromandel had more than done its part, and he called on the other centres in the county to rally round before the end of the month, when the campaign ended. He appealed to all areas to raise /their quotas towards the county’s candidate which, together with the concluding efforts on behalf of Coromandel centre, might be the means of putting the Coromandel Popular Girl at the top of the poll. Visitors were present from Colville. Kennedy’s Bay, i Whangapoua, Manaia and Mercury Bay. ,