COMMUNITY SING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 30 June 1943, Page 3

COMMUNITY SING

BRIGHT ENTERTAINMENT LICENSED VICTUALLERS’ NIGHT The third in the series o( community sings arranged by the Nelson Community Sing Committee was held in the Theatre Royal last evening. The sing was sponsored by the Nelson Licensed Victuallers. There was a good audience, although the Theatre was not packed The standard of entertainment was high and the performers kept the audience in fits of laughter throughout the show. During the evening, the two song leaders, Messrs T. Reed and H. Fletcher, led the audience in a large selection of popular songs. Mr C. Lee was at the piano. Mr Reed also sang two pleasing solos. “Beneath Your Window" and “The New Zealand Marchingsong.” The highlight of the evening was an item by Mr Eddie Martin, the English comedian and his “Quiz Kids." the “kids" beiiig Messrs Ernie Gahagan, Pat Shurley and Vince Cox. “You are looking at three of the most intelligent boys in Nelson." said Eddie, when the “kids” eventually assembled on the stage after giving some tall excuses for being late. Mr Martin then proceeded to ask his pupils some very smart questions and received some equally smart answers. Eddie took every opportunity to go into action with" his cane. Mr Friday Easther told a very amusing story which contained some tongue-tying lines. He was well received by the audience. Messrs Martin, Gahagan and Lipscombe turned on a very amusing sketch. The guest artist, Eddie Martin, depicted further “Characters from Dickens.” in which he again proved his worth both as a make-up artist and as a very fine actor. At intervals during the evening Mr Chas‘ Lipscombe interrupted the singing to auction some of the large assortment of goods which had been donated. His appearance was always greeted with. “There’s that man again!” The bidding was very good. and some articles brought exceptionally high prices. A box containing a pair of dressed cockerels and a large assortment of vegetables was put up for sale three times, bringing a total amount of £6 12s 6d. A 51b box of chocolates brought £2 ss. a pair of dressed ducklings 235, and a pendant made of perspex, which was made and donated by a member of the Air Force, sold for 32.: 6d. A kitten was knocked down for Bs. Other goods auctioned included vegetables and mystery parcels, containing tinned meat and fruit, chocolate and floor polish. During the singing of “Bless ’Em All,” Mr Fletcher invited Messrs Auty Harley and A. H. Crawley to sing a duet from the stage. • They agreed to sing if the sum of £5 was collected for the fund from the people in the theatre. Shortly afterwards Mr Fletcher appeared with the £5, and cheered by the crowd. Messrs Crawley and Harley responded. They then held a loud singing competition. Mr Harley leading the people in the dress circle and Mr Crawley the downstairs audience. Before the concluding numbers. Mr E. Gahagan, on behalf of the Licensed Victuallers, thanked the public for their attendance. They had set the sum of £l3O as their target and he was sure that it would be reached, the auction sale having more than made up for the vacant seats.' He also thanked Mr Eddie Martin for his work not onlv last night but at the two previous sings. The evening closed with the singing of “Now is the Hour." Mr Gahagan sineing the first verse in Maori. The chairman of the Community Sing Committee said this morning that the final figures had not yet come to hand, but it was estimated that the proceeds from last night’s sing would amount to between £l2O and £l3O.