LYCEUM CLUB

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23070, 22 June 1938, Page 5

LYCEUM CLUB

- BIRTHDAY PARTY NOVEL ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC: AND COMPETITIONS Original humour, delightful , music and interesting competitions formed the programme for the members' evening held in the Lyceum Club lounge last night to celebrate the club's 19th birthday. The lonnge was filled with one of the largest gatherings of members to be held in the club and the function was an outstanding success. Originality and ingenuity were both revealed in the first item, an orchestra of nine "instruments," the latter being cleverly/composed of various kitchen articles. Led by the drum major, twirling a long-handled mop in true'military style; the members of the orchestra filed on to the stage, where they played marches, negro/ songs and ballads in mime to the leadership of the conductor. whose baton was a' wooden jam spoon. Construction of Instruments All the instruments were most cleverly contrived. The drum was a preserving pan, the chimes, empty bottles and the cymbals, saucepan lids, while the string bass was composed of a clothes hamper with an egg beater attached for the tuning of strings and a rolling pin as the bow. Patty tins were the main structure of the violin, a frying pan formed the banjo and the piano was constructed from a variety of kitchen articles with a cooking board as the base. Taking, part in this item were Mrs. W. H. Parkes (dram major), Mrs. Stanley Chambers (string bass), Mrs. G. H. Metcalfe (banjo), Mrs. G. ClarkWalker (drums and effects), Mrs. George Massey (cornet), Miss Spencer (flute), Mrs. Cuthbert McCaw (violin). Miss K. Teape (trombone), Mrs. Clifton Webb (piano), Miss Thorald Clerk (bagpipes) and Mrs. Archibald Bishop (conductor). Cutting the Birthday Cake A competition was held during this item for the guessing of the musical numbers "played" by the orchestra. This was won by Sirs. P. McClatchie and Miss Phyllis Lindsay. Other items on the programme Avere pianoforte solos by Mrs. Miles Rider, songs by Mrs. Wynn Jones, recitations by Mrs. Kenneth Gordon and Miss Joan Gilford and a sketch by Mis» Anita Webster. Two other guessing competitions were also held. The president, Mrs. AY. H. Parkes, presided and welcomed the guests, who included a number of recent members of the :club. Mrs. Parkes was wearing a frock of black panne velvet embroidered with rhinestones and finished witli knife-pleated georgette sleeves. A bouquet of flowers was presented to her by the club secretary, Miss Q. Winstar.ley. . An elaborately decorated birthday cake adorned with 19 -lighted candles was a prominent feature at supper, time. The cake was cut by the president, Mrs. Parkes, and the caudles extingushed by a group of recent club membprs. , ..