RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 14236, 2 March 1917, Page 9

RETURNED SOLDIERS' ASSOCIATION.

mm< SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT. Hundreds of people were unable to gain admission to His Majesty's Theatre last night. So big was the crowd that assembled to enjoy the entertainment organised m connection with the Returned Soldiers' Association's effort to raiso funds for a permanent club building. Those who were disappointed at not being able to gain admission last night wiU bo pleased to learn that it was announced that the programme would be repeated on Saturday night, and that all those who had tickets could use them then. It must have been gratifying to the association to see such hearty support accorded theii- initial effort, and it augurs well for the success of the object iv view. A splendid programme was submitted^ . the Gisborne Follies, a newly-organised band of local amateurs, proving themselves most versatile entertainers. Prior to the commencement of the concert the t City Band played selections outside the theatre. Amongst the large audience the khaki uniform was prominent, whilst the Veterans' Association was represented by half a dozen members m uniform. The Follies secured a distinct success, the programme being a meritorious one, rivalling that of some professional entertainments, and so well did they appear to establish themselves that their reappearance will always be eagerly looked forward to. The large audience was roused to a high pitch of enthusiasm, and although a note orn the printed programme requested that no encores be given, owing to the length of the programme, the audience were insistent on several occasions. The raising of the curtain revealed an attractive scene on th© stage, tlie Follies, m Pierrot garb, sitting round m. a semicircle, whilst overhead was suspended an enlarged representation of the R.S.A. badge, and prominently displayed was an enlarged photograph of General Birdwood. The ■ Follies consisted of Miss C Johnston', A. Holt, L. A. McDonald, B. A. McDonald, L. G. Ren wick, and L. Esau ; Messrs. T. Watson, L. : Skeet A. Wright, F. Cummihg, A. Zacliariah, , and T. Fahey, with Mr. J. A. Rose warn© as director and interlocutor, and Messrs J. Renwick and J. Dods as pianists. The costuming was most effective, having been carried out under the supervision of Mrs. Jefferey and Mr. Zachariah. The Gisborne Savage orchestra, which opened the proceedings, greatly enhanced the enjoyment of the programme with their ever-popular overtures. The Follies occupied the whole of the first hadf of the programme, commencing with a chorus entitled, "Tho Irresponsibles." Mr. T. Watson was heard to advantage m "Songs of Araby," and Miss C Johnston and Mr. I_. Skeet greatly pleased the audience with a duet, "They Don't Believe Me." "Shipmates of Mine" was finely rendered by Mr. F. Cumming, and this number was followed by the popular item "Keep the Home Fires Burning," contributed with much effect by four of the Follies, led by Miss Esau. Here, it might be mentioned, the various items - were interspersed with humorous stories and jokes, Messrs. T. Fahey and A. Zachariah keeping the audience m% roars of laughter. Mr. Zachariah caused further merriment with a comic song entitled "He's a Devil." Ono of tho most popular and appropriate, items was a song called "We'll Look' After You," sung by Miss Ren wick, who had to respond to an insistent encore. Mr. Fahy caused more laughter with ai recital of a comic piece depicting "Pat Counting Eggs." Rli-. J. A. Rosewarne, the well known ■elocutionist, contributed, "The Hoo-doo-doo-doo Man," an electric coon song, with much effect, his performance being truly "electric." He was enthusiastically recalled. Mr. A. -Wright was also encored for his interpretation of the song, "Till the Samds of the Desert," and Misses L. and B. McDonald gave a graceful dancing turn, which had to be repeated. Mr, J. Dods greatly pleased the- audience with a whistling solo, and an eccentric double ragtime by the two pianists.' and a concerted' number concluded the first part of the programme. . In the second half the Follies were assisted' by other local artists. Mr. F. J.- Teat sang with much success "The Blue Dragoons." Miss G. Pyke, always a popular performer, proved her elocutionary abilities m a humorous recital entitled "The Piece that Robert' Spoke," for which she was encored. After n^ other pleasing item Mr. Watson, Mr. R. Howell gave a character sketch, "The Tramp," for which he was recalled. Miss Esau sang "Mother Mine" m a pleasing manner, and Mr. J. A. Rosewarne followed with another vigorous item m the form of a dramatic recital, "Jud Browning on Rubenstein." Mr. Tom Falvey made his first appearance m Gisborne m- his _ sensational vaudeville hits, and he certainly made a "hit" with the audience. Mrs. F. S. Cooze sang with much expression "A Bunch of Irish . Shamrocks," and Mr. W. A. Smith provoked much laughter with his humorous recital,\ "The Play," faom the "Sentimental Bloke." Miss C. Johnston gavd a dainty rendition of "Laugh and 'Sing," being eneb?ed. Mr. F. S.Cooae followed; with some'' more laughter making, his item being "The Yiddish Wedding Jubilee." The programme concluded with a song by Corporal A. Wright, who was encored, and tho singing of '"God Save tho King" brought a successful entertainment to' w close. Mr. .J-.-'Ronwick 'acted as accompanist. - * -■■' ■'-*' -