SAVAGE CLUB’S KORERO

Manawatu Standard, Volume IV, Issue 222, 20 August 1931, Page 3

SAVAGE CLUB’S KORERO

SPLENDID HELP FOR CENTRAL RELIEF FUND. A capacity house greeted the Alanawatu Savage Club’s public korero at the Opera House last evening and the programme proved all that had been promised. It was a splendid entertainment, interesting and amusing at all times, and there was ample evidence of the talent the club members possess. The reputation of the Savages, combined with the worthiness of the purpose—the Central Relief Fund—drew a crowd such as the Opera House has not accommodated for some time. Long before tho most efficient Savage orchestra of twenty instrumentalists, with Savage C. L. Mowlem conducting, played the overture there was standing room only. Nobody in the audience could have been disappointed with the show. Humour was the keynote, and the auditorium responded to the burlesque of the various items in a genuinely appreciative manner. It was something unusual, and very' welcome, in the entertaining line. The requisite atmosphere was captured in tho opening scene with the wharepuni, the natives in war dress, the stirring haka, the capture of two wahines, and the steaming copper so significant of their ultimate fate; the orchestra’s playing of “AYaita Poi” and the vocal strains of Hill’s other melody—“Waiata Maori.” The Atmosphere and amusement of this opening number, in which the Chief Savage, Eangatira H. C. Collinson, Rangitira G. G. Priest, and Savages 0. J. Roberts and Rangi Akuira (leader of the haka) played important parts, provided a most effective introduction and of just the right length and design to put the audience in a receptive mood. The interest and humour were well sustained by Savage H. Wqllerman, who sang two songs with a nautical flavour—“The Stoker” was one of them—in rollicking time, and who later was featured in an outstanding sketch entitled . “Military Marionettes.” In this lie was the petulant Cockney sergeant-major to the life. It was a most amusing item—the drill antics of the marionettes, tile patter of the sergeant-major, the feminine toucli—tlie lady who wanders onto vamp the , man in command—and tlie singing of that now almost forgotten ditty that some time ago was pandemic—“ Around tlie Corner.” Also appearing in tlie * scene and assisting greatly with the humour were Savages Browning, Dash, Hart, Seeker and Jensen. Thought reading by Savages Hutchins and Jeromson interested the audience greatly—all manner of articles in tlie house were correctly interpreted, and dates and ages supplied—and Rangatira Jacobs and Savage Simpson combined effectively in “The Ragtime Goblin Man,” and songs with a topical flavour. The orchestra played an attratcive entr’acte selection —“No, No Nanette”—-with much vim, and there followed tlie most humorous sketch of the evening—“Sheik Fever.” Tlie parts were in capable hands and could not have been bettered—Savage G. S. Remington as “Hysteria Ilinks,” tlie lady who could not be contented with a young New Zealander, but must go meandering in the desert, Savage A. Rising as the young man in question. Savage AV. Hooker as “Sheik Hashish Ren Nevis,” who was overwhelmed with love affairs, and Savage J. M. Pearson as “Rhubarb Ben Lomond.” Savage J. AV. Davidson supplied the effects as it were, for while (the various players were ill pantomime he told the audience the nature and degree of their emotions and their unspoken thoughts-. There was a ripple of merriiiient all the while the sketch was in progress, and the orchestra played “Pahjainah” to add to the effect Eastern. Savages Hooker and Reining,, ton were particularly good in this burlesque. Savage R. Luke added to the fun by his meanderings on the general outlook, and “Monty on the Empire Spirit,” and received rounds of applause, but the turn of “Savage Stringemoff,” which promised to be amusing was interrupted by the falling of the scenery, all of which caused a little excitement, but much merriment, and when the wings were restored to position the orchestra heralded tho brightly-costumed Pierrot Troupe in a vaudeville type of entertainment, but all bright and interesting. Savages Seeker and H. C. Gregory combined well in the duet, “AYatelnnan, AVhat of the Night?” and the others who danced, sang and burlesqued were Savages B. Bowater, C. F. Cronin, J. Dinlev, A. E. Rising, C. J. Roberts and C. AA’. Teppett. The stage settings were a feature of the performance and were under tlie able supervision of Savage AA’. J. AVoollett. The following took part in the opening scene, in addition to the Chief Savage and Interpreter: Savage E. Low, AV. D. Olney (wahines) ; J. M. Pearson, E. G. Spraggon (guards) ; Rangi Akuira, R. A. AV. Browning, E. Barringer, L. Clausen, L. Ferguson, L. AV’. Harris, A. Jewett, A. AV’. Mewton, J. Powell, D. Rabone, VV. H. Skinner, C. Scliioler, G. Symons. The orchestra was as follows:—Savages C. L. Mowlem (kaiwhakahaere), C. AV’. Teppett (piano), P. Sy. Larcomb, VV’. Bo.ves, L. Loveday, L. Finlay (first violins), A. AVylie, E. Low (second violins), VV’. Barnett (’cello), VV. Led (bass), C. G. Swallow, O. Mildon (flutes), A. J. Andrews, S. Mylroi (clarionets), C. Hansen, C. Finlay (cornets), A. J. Tonkin (French horn), V. Greening (baritone), J. Elliott, AV’. Newth (trombones), H. Bell (drums, etc.).