NATIONAL CONCERT.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLV, Issue 66, 18 March 1911, Page 7

NATIONAL CONCERT.

Year after year the Irish: national concert held on St. Patrick's night draws a large audience, who are always good-natured and prepared to be pleased at the fare provided, and applaud anything and everything that comes before them. Bast night was no exception to the general rule, for the Town Hall was, as Father Hoiley put it, flowing over from floor to ceiling. Every available inch of space was taken up, and many had to stand throughout the1 evening The programme was a very long one, contain-, ing 20 items, but it was considerably added to by the Tnagaries of the encore nuisance, and" it was after eleven o'clock when the curtain fell. The Hibernian Band played before the hall in the early partJof the evening, and also played ai couple of selections in-, side as 'o^iprttir^s; ■ The first item on the programme was "The Cruiskeen Lawn "by Miss Strickland. This young lady has a good voice, and this and the encore "Asthore"; were both pleasing efforts, A quartette party, composed of Misses Daly and Hale and Mr Gray and the Rev. Father Hoiley, sang \Harp that Once," and were recalled, !'tne repeat number b&> ing "Young" May1 Moon." Later on they sang "The Minstrel Boy" (the Srognamme called- it! '"The Ministerial oy ). Mrs Canavan' was palpably nervous in her rendering of "Killarney," but in her repeat number, an old favorite', she ysas distinctly good, and it' Was an enjoyable item." The Rev. Father McDonald' came next with a viclin solo, and it wias at once , apparent that he had hold of a splendid instrument, and knew how to use I it. Ho played an arrangement of ' "The Harp that Once," and an on- | core elicited the tricky arrangement by Poliakin, "Le Canari." Even then the audience were not satisfied? and demanded more, and the rev. father played "Yankee Doodle." Father McDonald has a very free and clean bowhand, and.his stopping was worth hearing. .He, made somo very fine work in the shifts/* his ,end harmonics being especially; good, Miss Marion Browne was in good voice, and in the first, verse of "The Wearing of the Green" was singing, well, when a six-months' old baby' in. the audience persisted'in making the solo a duet, the victory resting with ,the baby. Miss Browne had another' opportunity in the Irish lament "Steal my bark," to which she' did justice, ,Mr Brittain- chose "Father O'Flynn," which was rather heavy, and, he was~nervous; otherwise he gave a^good- rendering. Miss 'Morrison1 was'in good voice, and her singingt>6f "Rory 'Darlitfg" was much enjoyed. Her'encore number, "Blood of CoKntrv," suited her much better even, and it: was one of the best items' of the night. Miss Daly has been ill,' and consequently,did not let herself go as usuaf.' 'She is an artistic little lady, and her"singing is always welcome Her items were "Last Rose of Summer," "The Kerry Dance," and "Green shores of Erin." The first Sart concluded with a monologue by [r L. Griffiths, "Concerning a Carpet." It was a very clever sketch, admirably presented, but seemsd rather. too clever for the audience, who were in holiday humor and would j&ve preferred boisterous farce.' Mr Bull whistled by request, and "The Ouckoo" brought the inevitable encore where Mr Bull is concerned1, and he replied with "The Butterfly Dance." A good item was the duet '■SBjlpw on thou Shining River," •by Miss Frances Morrison and Mrs Fraser-Tytler. Both ladies;. ; were in good voice, and : the voices; bleaded well. Mr E. Reade,a .visitor from Wellington, contributed a couple of rollicking baritone songs, which the audience appreciated. "Philadelphia" elicited as a repeat "Rory O'More," but a singer should bo sure of his words before facing an audience. Mrs McCallum was loudly applauded for her singing of "Kathleen Mavourneen,''and complying to a demand for a© encore she gave "Soldiers in the Bark." Mr Gray has eliminated a good deal that was faulty in his singing, and last night his numbers were quite;a refreshing treat. He sang "Erin my Country" well, but "Oft in tbeJStilly Night" was even betftev. Mrs Ash is always welcome, her contributions being like ta breath of air on a hot day.' "Barney O'Hea", was given in an artistic manner, which elicited a recall. Mrs Ash replied with a spirited rendering of "My Toreador. ' The audience would fain have had more, but Mrs Ash declined. The programme concluded with "Dear Little Slrainrock" by Father Hoiley. Miss McCabe had a very strenuous task, playing* the accompaniments throughout the evening, and she deserves a word of appreciation.