SOLDIERS CONCERT

Southland Times, Issue 17920, 27 April 1917, Page 3

SOLDIERS CONCERT

SCENES FROM CAMP LIFE. ENTHUSIASTICALLY RECEIVED. It was probably tbs announcement that "Camp Life in Egypt" was to be featured on the programme that drew such a large house to the Municipal Theatre last evening, on the occasion of the opening of the two night season of the entertainment in aid of the funds of the Invercargill Returned Soldiers - Association and the Soldiers - Club. On the other hand, it may have been a sense of loyalty to those who "went with the ‘Main’ ” or one of the early reinforcements, and who have returned to civilian life once more. Be the reason what jt may, the soldiers were greeted by a packed theatre. The first half of the programme was devoted to a representation of camp life in the Egyptian desert. In which some twenty of the Anzacs occupied the stage before a scene of tents in the foreground with the pyramids and an oasis further back, and the sand merging Into the sky on the horizon. Taking everything into consideration, the effect was highly creditable to the men and distinctly pleasing to the audience, who heartily applauded the scene when the ' curtain rose. During the period for ■which they held the floor, the Boys were shown marching in from a route march and changing guard. For the rest they lolled about in the most typical attitudes of rest and relaxation, and indulged in cards or other such 'Quiet amusements while their Impromptu concert, In ■which one of their number would be settled on and ‘‘barracked" until he agreed to oblige with the old desert favourite item, was in progress. Needless to say the Boys, after the manner of most camp audiences, were never satisfied without an encore number, and had they been content with a single item it Is more than probable that the audience proper would have insisted upon return in every case. In the middle of the camp scene the “real Egyptian Donk," as the programme Introduces him made his appearance and was Immediately mobbed and subjected to a good-natured mauling by the men. Thereafter he lay peaceably down in the middle of the stage and refuserj to budge bo remained as a centre-piece to tbo scene until the bugle sounded “Lights Out -- and the end of part one. The song “Egypt" in this part was attended by a spectacular scena of a maid representing the sandy country and mounted on a dais behind the resting boys, who joined lustily in the chorus of the piece.' Part two of last evening's programme was filled by an ordinary concert programme of high standard. Coming as U did, after the camp scene this civilian element was rather at a disadvantage, but, nevertheless it met with a most cordial reception, and several of the performers had to agree to a re-appear-ance in order to hush the applause of a delighted audience. An idea of the superlative Quality of the concert may be gleaned from the mention of such soloists as Miss L. Howden, M, C. Collins (Bluff), Mrs F. Crawford, Mr J. Bradshaw (Bluff), besides a young lady from Hawera, whose Item was most warmly received. Then there was a dance (encored) by Miss Madeline Vyner. and a violin solo by Miss D. M. Emery, both of whom well deserved the hearty applause accorded them. Add to that,\ humorous items by Mr G. Braxton (who was in splendid form), and an exceptionally fine rendering of “The Boys

who took the count," from C. J. Dennis's •’The Moods of Ginger Mick," by Mr C. E. Pryce, and audience captivating recitations by Mr A. S. Wallace. . The result was a programme worthy of any concert. Several of the Items in this half were attended by tableaux by the Boys, the most notable being Mrs Crawiord’s song, “Our Anzac Heroes,” in the accompanying tableau to which both men and nurses were engaged with striking effect. The orchestral music Of the evening was supplied by Mr McGregor’s party in capable manner. During the interval a collection yas taken up by the Hospital nurses and the amount gathered then, with what was added to it by subsequent donations, reached £lO. At a suitable point, Mr Jno. Stead, the Mayor-elect, briefly explained the objects of the entertainment and entered a plea for hearty support of the two deserving causes. The same programme la to be submitted for the final time to-night, with the addition of the novelty, "Who’s who In Shadowland,” which had to be omitted owing to the lateness of the hour last night. Last evening’s attendance was large and as that scene from the life of the Boys just before they set out on that great Gallipoli enterprise from •which, also, so many of them never returned, has a charm and a freshness about it which would cling after it had been witnessed half a dozen times, most of last night's audience will likely be awaiting this evening with impatience, so that the final performance should be to a house packed, jammed and crammed. The entertainment is particularly worthy of a visit, the causes are worthy, and the public owes to these men one of those debts which only gratitude can ever hope to fully repay. But the debt can be wiped off by material aid to a great extent, and It behoves a loyal and patriotic public to whole-heartedly support the venture of those of its sons who bava offered their all to their Empire.