ST. PATRICK’S NIGHT

Southland Times, Issue 21656, 18 March 1932, Page 8

ST. PATRICK’S NIGHT

IRISH NATIONAL CONCERT. MOST PLEASING PROGRAMME. No people have more affection for their homeland than the Irish, and on no day in the year is this affection so greatly in evidence as on the anniversary of the death of the patron saint of Ireland. For many years St. Patrick’s Night concert has been eagerly anticipated by all in Invercargill who are of Irish descent, and the excellent programmes of national songs and dances that have invariably been provided have done much to foster the inborn love pos sassed by all who trace their ancestry to the green isle. Last evening the Civic Theatre was filled almost to overflowing for the 1932 concert and the applause which came repeatedly from the big audience testified in no uncertain manner to the enjoyable nature of the programme Those responsible for organizing the concert had not been content merely to present a succession of songs and dances. Bj departing from stereotyped lines they succeeded in making the concert possess a novelty and charm which added greatly to its power to please.

The first half consisted of a musical oneact play entitled “The Last Rose of Summer." The play, which was written by a local resident, served admirably to introduce a number of favourite Irish songs. There was nothing far-fetched or cumbersome about the play: a simple plot, a little humour and a love interest were ingeniously interwoven with much pleasant singing. As David Keegan, a successful New Zealand merchant Mr Frank Lister had a very responsible role in which he was wholly successful. His song “Father O'Flynn” was thoroughly enjoyed. The part of Anne, his wife, was well played by Miss Kathleen Lynch, while as his mischievous young son Tom, Master Desmond Perrin was very much at home. Mary, their daughter (Miss Maisie Kilkelly) was the heroine of the play, and whether at the piano or when singing she was full of grace and charm. No one could possibly have wondered why Jim Harrington, a young musician (Mr W. Reddington) should have fallen in love with her; and need they have been surprised that his affection was reciprocated. His lyric tenor, heard in the beautiful “She is far from the Land” and in a trio and duet, would win any maiden’s heart. Much of the humour of the play was provided by Bill Mulligan, a faithful servant in the Keegan household (Mr John Dale) and by Gwen, a pert maid (Miss Marjery Fitzgerald), greatly admired by Bill Mulligan. Both did extremely well, assistance being also rendered by Mr W. Rutherford who as a friend of Mulligan’s did not have a great deal to do but did that little well. Elsie, a blind singing girl (Miss Mona McKay) did not appear on the stage, but her fine soprano voice was heard in a most feeling rendering of ‘The Last Rose of Summer.” The second part of the programme was more in the nature of a concert, but here again stiffness and formality were obviated by having all the performers, including the members of the chorus, on the stage together in a drawing room scene. The chorus set the ball rolling with “Let Erin Remember,” this being followed by a piano solo most artistically given by Miss Mary Fitzgerald. Miss E. Davin's singing of “Where the River Shannon Flows” was a very pleasant number. Then came one of the gems of the evening, a concerted Irish dance by pupils of Miss Irene Ward. The audience would have liked more than the one encore which was given. Mr Malcolm Murfitt gained applause for his “Mother Machree,” while Mr S. Stevens was vociferously encored for a novel humorous number. A ladies' chorus sang “Derry Vale” most tunefully, this being followed by the favourite "Rose of Tralee,” well sung by Mr Chris. Kelly. Mr J. Wills is always sure to please in a cornet solo, his “I hear you calling me” being delightfully played. Miss D. Pearce struck exactly the right note in “Barnev O’Hea,” a dainty and quaint little song. Miss Moira O’Neill's recitation of “The Dawn of Erin” was refreshingly natural and highly effective. Messrs J. Ferrv and W. Wills were heard to advantage in a duet, and Miss Rene Ward was enthusiastically encored for her Irish Jig. A rousing male chorus, a charming rendering of “The Dear Little Shamrock” by Miss May Shirley, gay humour by Messrs Dale and Stevens and a full chorus “Killarney” concluded a memorable concert. The accompanists were Miss Mary Fitzgerald, Miss Kathleen Fulton and Mr Gordon Lindsay. An orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr J. McDonald, added greatly to the evening’s enjoyment.