PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

Lake County Press, Issue 2634, 1 June 1916, Page 4

PATRIOTIC CONCERT.

Another Successful Entertainment. The second entertainment arranged by the Arrow Concert Party in aid of the Red Cross and Wounded Soldiers' Funds took place in the Atbeneum Hall on Friday evening last. The attendance was even larger than at the previous concert, while the proceedings were marked by the utmost enthusiasm throughout. The programme wa3 undoubtedly the best that has heeo presented in Arrow since the Carnival Concert last year, and almost every performer was recalled. The management had been fortunate in securing the services of a concert party from Cromwell, consisting of the Misses McDonald (3), and Perriam, Messrs

McDonald and Hutton and Master Silver. All the items contributed by the members of tbe party were bright arid entertaining, and met with due appreciation from the audience. Valuable assistance was also rendered by Miss Johnston (Queenstown) and the Misses Shrimpton (Dunedin). The concert opened with a tableau, in which about thirty performers attired in " Hard Times " costumes took part. The choruses " Hard Times Come Again No More" and "Any Rags," and.a recitation by Mr J. Bute! were introduced, and tbe tableau was very effeotive. Miss Lilian McDonald at once established herself in the favor of the audience. In her opening number, " A Gipsy Maiden, I" she scored a distinct success, and in response to an imperative recall she sang " Whistle It," in which a whistling obligato was effectively introduced. In the second pare of the programme Miss Macdonald was equally successful in " The Land of Long Ago," and an encore number " Come Sing to Me." Mr Hutton, who has previously assisted at local concerts, received a flattering reception. Mr Hutton was in good voice, and he was recalled for each of his numbers. His contributions were:—"There is a Land," " La. La, La," " The Standard on the Braes of Mar," and the ever-popular " Mary." Miss Johnston (Queens* town), who received a hearty welcome on her re-appearance on the local concept platform, was heard to advantage in " Coming Home," and in response to a recall sang " Love's Old Sweet Song" very tastefully. Mr McDonald, who is a most versatile performer, contributed a CDDiio song and dance in the first part of the programme, and subsequently danced the Irish Jig, both items being loudly applauded. Mr D. R. Barron, who rarely essays the role of a comedian sang " I've got a Motto" really well, and his work compared favorably with that of Tom Wall, who sang the number when " The Arcadians " was first produced in New Zealand. Master Silver, a lad of seven or eight years, fairly convulsed the audience with a comic song entitled " Man, what is it ?". Mr Adam Smith, who was attired in an up to-date lady's costume, received an enthusiastic recall for his song " You can't judge a woman by her clothes," and as an encore number he gave " Why do the boys run after me." Mr Jack Dakers sang " Bonnie Lizzie Lindsay." and in response to a recall he followed with his latest composition entitled " Boys, have you a penny to spare for the Red Cross Fund ?" The appeal contained in the song was appropriate to the occasion, and the sum of £1 10s in small coins was showered on the stage. Step-dancing was a feature of the programme. The Misses Shrimpton (Dunedin) contributed two delightful fancy dances. Misses Stella and Mavi3 scored a great success in a " Fancy Polka," and in response to the demands of the audience they gave an exposition of tbe draving-room tango. Miss Iris was equally successful in a Welsh Dance, in which her posturing* showed evidences o ; careful training. .Miss E. McDonald, who danced the Highland Fling, and Mc D. Wishart, who contributed a sailor's hornpipe, were enthusiastically recalled for their respective efforts. The instrumental items consisted of a pianoforte solo by Mrs Lea and a pianoforte duet by the Misses Melville, both numbers being well received. Tbe concert concluded with the patriotic duet " Your King and Country Need You," which was sung by tbe L and F. McDonald, and was probably the most popular item on a long and interesting programme. Tbe accompaniments were played by Mrs Lea, Mrs Gordon Campbell, Misses Perriam (Cromwell), G. Stevenson, and McKibbin, and Mr W. McPherson. Nearly all the performers and a fair proportion of the audience appeared in " Hard Times "costume, and considerable interest was evinced in the allocation of the prizes offered for the most original costumes (lady and gentleman). Messrs McDonald and Hutton, of Cromwell, acted as judges, and at the conclusion of the Grand March they awarded the lady's prize to Miss Mary Allan, and the gentleman's trophy to Mr Gordon Campbell Other costumes which were popularly supposed to be in the running for the prizes were worn by Mrs Barron, Miss G. Preston, Messrs 0. Johnston, D. Cosgrove, and R. Stickle. A waltzing competition was also held, and attracted an entry of five couples. Messrs McDonald and Hutton again acted as judges, and Miss Adams and Mr Stickle were awarded the prizes. Dunug the evening a handsome fl nver-sianu, presented by Mr J. T. Barty, and a duck, presented by Miss Preston, were disposed of by competition, and were won by Mrs Leo Lee and Miss E Fletcher respectively. A framed piece of tapestry, comprising the flags of the Allies, presented by Mrs Jopp, senr., aud framed by Mr W. Henry, was offered at auction by Mr R. M. Paterson, and after being purchased several times and returned with instructions to " put it up again " the tapestry finally fell to the bid of Mrs R. M. Paterson at £5. The sale realised the handsome total of £27 18s. After supper dancing was commenced, and wa3 continued until an early hour. The dance music was supplied by Mesdames Lea and G. Campbell, Misses Perriam, G Preston, and G. Stevenson, and Messrs D. O'Fee and G. Campbell. Messrs R. Stickle and A. Smith acted as M.C.'s. Prior to the close of the gathering. Mr A. J. Campbell, on behalf of the Executive of the Concert Party, thanked all who had assisted to make the entertainment a success, and on his initiative three hearty cheers were accorded tbe performers from Cromwell and Queenstown