Competitive Concert

Southern Cross, Volume 17, Issue 17, 7 August 1909, Page 9

Competitive Concert

CROWDED HALL, Sonie two years ago the members of St. Paul's Leet Street Methodist Church inaugurated a series of competitive concerts in aid of the church funds. These competitions created a wholesome rivalry between the ladies on the one side and the gentlemen on the other. Last year the judges, in their wisdom, saw fit to award the palm to the •"mere men," but this year, if all goes well, it won't be the ladies fault if they do not win the laurels, and, as the parson said to the young couple, "be happy ever after."

Wednesday night's performance was of a very high order, and was listened to by a large and appreciative audience, including'' Mr J. A. Hanan, M.P., and Mrs Hanan.

In the opening item, "The Chapel," Messrs tteorge, Taylor, Trebilcock, and Rev. A. Mitchell, did full justice to the number, and were loudly applauded.

One of the gems of the evening was the rendering of "The Desert" by the Rev. A. Mitchell, for which the' accompaniment was played in finished style by Mr R. Trist Searell. The violin solo by Mr Poole and the 'cello solo by Mr McKay were well given. The former betrayed a little nervousness, but the latter was quite at home, and had to submit to a well deserved encoie.

Mr J. FJ. Taylor's singing is always welcomed, and in "From Oberon from Fairyland" he was particularly .good, and was heartily recalled.

Mr Trebilcock is a pleasing singer, and his rendering of ""Let Me like a Soldier Fall*' was much appreciated. Mr Searell. besides playing- the accompaniments, tendeied the Fantasia "Les Huguenots" in a. manner that betrayed the touch of a master-hand, and he was unstintedly applauded. Mr Pram acquitted himself well in "The Battle of Stirling." so much so that he had to submit to a recall. The duet "The Moon Hath Raised." was admirably given by the Rev. A. Mitchell and Mi G. R.' George—'their voices blending well. Mr Smail delighted his audience with "Plymouth Hoe." and had to submit to a double encore. He has a clear voice, and soon made himself a firm favourite.

"Three for .Jack" was well given by Mr Prentice, and he also was recalled.

Of readings there were two. one by Mr Wallace and one by Mi Webb, and both gentlemen were very happy in their selections. Mr ttilmore's recitation "De "Dotchmon's Family" caused uproaiiousifun and he bad to re-appear. The-story without words by Messrs Gilmore and Wallace was mirth-pro-voking- in the extreme. The concert concluded- with a verse of the national anthem. The Rev. Mr Mitchell mentioned that the ladies were preparing for the battle, and had engaged the hall for September Bth. It is doubtful whether the building will hold the audience on that date, judging by the interest already taken in the'ladies' concert. It is known that they have a hard nut to crack when they attempt .to improve on Wednesday's concert, but time will tell.

\ Mr .7. .1. Wesney, secretary of the Trust, thanked all who had assisted In bringing together such an array of talent. and was quite pleased to see the old schoolroom showing such an artistic appearance. The gentlemen's committee is nothing if not original, and knowing the interest that had of late centred on Stewart Island talent, they also arranged for other good things from the same quarter. In other iwords, the evening's entertainment closed with Stewart Island oyster soup, made, not'by the hand of mere woman, but by one whose knowledge in the art classed him a past master. Full justice was done to the good things provided, and the large gathering broke up at a reasonable hour.