TE KOA.

Marlborough Express, Volume LIII, Issue 270, 17 November 1919, Page 4

TE KOA.

"Koa" is the Maori expression for anything that is merry, or. bright, or joyful, and the returned soldier entertainers who occupied the stage of His Majesty's Theatre on Saturday night were happily named Te Kda. They were merry and bright and altogether joyful. They made no claim to any outstanding quality of voice or methods of singing, but simply set out to brighten a couple of hours of the dreary round by making one forget all cares and worries for iihe time being. In this Te Koa (literally "The Merrymakers") amply succeeded, for the show_ was bright snd "zippy" from htart to finish, and the major portion of the audience went home satisfied with the entertainment piovided. There are six members of the company, and all through the programme they kept going. It was breezy hustle all. the time. Mr Owen Pritchardj of course, carries the show cxi his shoulders. His singing is good, he is that rara avis, a comedian who is really funny, and with Miss Birch and other members of the company keeps the, fun going merrily along. Ballads done in ragtime was a clever conception. Mr Wally Edwards in the earlier stages made up as a "lady" and sang a serio-eomio song. Later lie appeared as a "Jock" and showed histrionic ability of no mean order. This was in a. sketch representing a railway station room behind the lines in France, and besides Mr Edwards, Mr Billy Mardle as a "Sammy ? " Mr Pritchard as the typical English officer, and Mr Les Waitori as the "fair dinkum soldier" took part*." The latter deserves special credit for a most convincing representation: of the "Digger." Miss Winfred Birch gets a good, deal of < fun out of her work, and she is always bright and vivacious. She is also an accomplished. whistler. Mr Billy Mardle at €he piano is one of the most important members, of the company j and varies his task of .accompanying his colleagues by giving a monologue "on his own." Mr Les Walton recited "The Shooting of Dan McGrue," and "The Hitchin,'" of th* "Sentimental Bloke."\ Mr Vio Elliott, described as a tenor, sang "I hear you calling me" and "Songs of Araby." He develops a tremolo that night be set down to nerves. . He is also useful in the '■concerted items. To-nighfr Te Koa will entertain again, and Mr Pritchard,. on' Saturday night gave promise that each and every item would be new. Altogether it is a. pleasant entertainment given, by pleasant people.