“HALLOWE’EN”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22719, 4 November 1935, Page 4

“HALLOWE’EN”

DUNEDIN BURNS CLUB’S REVELS SUCCESSFUL ANNUAL CONCERT Hallowe’en, the season when, according to Scottish folk-lore, sprites, pixies, and witches hold high revel, was celebrated in characteristic style by the Dunedin Burns Club in His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday evening when the annual Hollowe’en concert was presented before a largo and enthusiastic audience. Grannie’s old kitchen was again the scene of high-spirited revels in which a company of merrymakers indulged in hearty Scottish humour, keeping the audience in the happiest frame of mind, while the more serious side of the entertainment was provided by songs, national dances, and instrumental selections, all of which were warmly received. Before the commencement of the programme the president of the Dunedin Burns Club (Mr N. Stewart) extended a welcome to all present and expressed gratification that such a large audience had attended to participate in the Hallowe'en celebrations. They had* had a welcome communication from Mrs D. Carty, who had for many years been prominent in the Hallowe'en concerts, and who was now resident in Scotland, a beautiful bunch of Scottish heather acompanying her good wishes.— (Applause.) Mr Stewart then mentioned that Mr Richard Armstrong, of Wellington, the sole surviving member of the original founders of the Burns Federation, which had celebrated its jubilee in Scotland in September, was listening in to their concert that evening, and, at the president’s instigation, the audience sent a hearty “cheerio” to Mr Armstrong. The programme was then opened with a series of Scottish selections by the Dunedin Highland Pipe Band, conducted by Pipe-major Walker, after which the revels in Grannie’s kitchen commenced with a will. Messrs G. Currie, J. Paterson, and A. Lungley contributed a considerable portion of the evening’s humour, while Mr G. Wiseman made an amusing “ Grannie.” In addition, Mr Lungley sang “ The Standard on the Braes o’ Mar ” and “ The Auld House ” with excellent effect, and Miss Margaret Murray sang “ Eriskay Love Lilt ” and “ The Road to the Isles ” very artistically. Miss Leonore Mackenzie’s recitation, “ Cuddle Doon,” was attractively delivered, and she was called upon to respond to an encore, a Highland reel, danced by Misses Lorna Budge, Flora M’Donald, Olive Scott, and Maisis Scott also being enthusiastically received by the audience. Mr G. Curire provoked considerable hilarity with his song “ The Muckin’ o’ Geordie’s Byre,” and as an ,

encore sang “ The Inversnecky Fireman.”The vocal- duet “ The Crookit Bawbee ” was engagingly sung by Miss Dorothy Mackay and Mr W. H. Mackenzie, and Mr G. Wiseman was equally successful in his humorous number “ The Centenarian,” being compelled to respond- to demand for an encore. His second song was “ She Was Kind to Me.” Several small boys kept the audience highly amused while they indulged in the timehonoured pastime of “ Dockin’ for Apples,” and the first portion of the programme concluded with a clever and> amusing dance duo, entitled “Jack Ashore,” presented by those competent young dancers, Misses Eowena Jackson and Ngila Slowley. The great moment of the evening cafhe after the interval when with due pomp and ceremony the “great chieftain ■o’ the puddin’ race” was piped in and placed on the supper table. Mr W. H. Mackenzie then sang “ The Hielaud Mans’ Toast ” and “ Bonnie Dundee ” in vigorous style, after which the reeL party danced “ Reel O’ Tulloch ” with attractive grace and precision. Miss Dorothy Mackay sang “Ae Fond Kiss” and “The Wee Cooper o’ Fife ” with engagingly artistic expression, and Mr Ted Heaney’s piano accordion solo “ Scottish Airs ” was also warmly received. Mr J. Paterson sang “ I Know a Lassie ’’ and “ I Have a Garden ” very effectively, and the audience was kept in a simmer o£ amusement by the humorous trio “ Willie Brewed a Peck o’ Malt,” which was sung by Messrs W. H. Mackenzie, G. Currie, and A. Lungley. The Scottish folk dance “ Patronella,” in which all the members of the company participated, brought a highly successful concert to a close. The pianoforte accompaniments were competently played by Mr A. Pet-' titt, and Piper G. Crichton provided the music for the national dances.