CONCERT AT TOKO.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 79, 15 November 1911, Page 8

CONCERT AT TOKO.

A SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. (From our own Correspondent.) The gay township of Toko present- j eci quite a busy appearance on the evening of November 7th, people on foot and in vehicles coining from all points of the compass, some from Stratford and others as far as Hniroa. The magnet of attraction was the church concert held in the Coronation Hall, which was packed with an eager and happy audience. jhe varied and lengthy programme was even better than the splendid hill of fare served up at the previous concert held three weeks ago, and the frequent outbursts of laughter and applause surpassed the very cordial acknowledgements of appreciation shown on that occasion The promoters, Messrs E. T. King and Mr C. Belve, and tiic individual members of the various dialogues may well | feel proud with the magnificent roI ception accorded to them by one and all present. I Mr Belve is a star of the first mag--1 ni tude, but he was well supported by a galaxy ofsirtists almost as brilliant as himself. Mr T. Henderson presided and announced the follow ing programme: Song, “Please give me a ticket for Heaven,” Miss Mnrial Warner; recitation, “The cot in the children's hospital,” Mrs G. Ellis; song, “Thora,” Mr Jack Griffiths; dialogue, “The Fog Imbroglio,” the scene and principals being the same as before— Lawyer Bland (Mr W. H. Were), Wilberforce Fog (Mr Belve), who was knocked speechless by Mrs Fog’s (Miss Morrison) continual flow of abuse and troubles; song, “A little child shall lead them,” Miss Norma Maxwell; dialogue, “The Surgery Tragedy,” performed as before —Nigger Peter’s fondness for the doctor’s "best old Scotch and cigars, which lie considered cheaper and better than the local brands, lias not abated any, but the agonising lookon poor Peter’s distorted faco_ when the doctor opened his valise of instruments, a family travelling trunk, and laid bare the tools used daily at the local butchery, was worth going miles to see; Messrs M. Gernhoefer and C. Belve acted the parts of doctor and Nigger respectively, Mr N. Day as the blooming old dead corpse being also very good jTuimorous reading,Mrs Martin(Huiroa); song, The river of years, Mr N. Day; duet, “Popular airs,” harp and violin, Miss Lees and Mr McPhail; song, “The Invitation,” Miss Fieldes; dialogue, “Felix O’Flyun’s Adventures,” —This was rendered in two parts, first a street scene and then a sick-room scene, the principals being Felix O’Flynn (C. Belve), Mr Smytii Senior (W. Pratt), Mr Smyth Junior (N. Day), Dr Van Quest (M. Gernhoefer),' Nellie Van Quest (Miss Cameron), the Factotum (E. T. King). Felix by impersonating the doctor makes some very awkward mistakes, but thanks to a splendid imagination and a few misrepresented facts he manages to pull through. He causes much merriment when ho orders a large tub in order to bleed his patient, Smyth Junior, also an impostor. Miss Cameron, as usual, acted her part well, but Mr Will Pratt’s appearance, resembling “Dad Rudd” of “On our Selection” etc. fame, brought down the house; duct, “Very Suspicions,” Mr and Mrs Martin (Hniroa); dialogue, “The White Hat,” also repeated. The parts were as follows: Dr Dumps, whose disguise and appearance were great, much resembling an absent-minded scientist with a little of a sundowner mixed up (Mr. E. T. King), the youthful and jolly Mrs Dumps (Mrs C. Riley), proud and dignified Annabolla (Miss Ruby Cartwright), pert Matilda (Miss Cameron), Marmanduke the rascal (Mr C. Belve), handsome Charlie Forrester (Mr N. Day). As a grand finale to a splendid piece of acting they sang together, and with much feeling, that simple, familiar ,hnt grand old song, “Home, Sweet Home,” and received a great ovation, being twice encored. “Homo, he it ever so humble,”.' etc., the cradle of the nation and the school where the lives and destinies of our Empire builders and defenders are moulded! What memories of past days and events dimmed by the baric of years those lines recall, and no wonder the audience could not control their enthusiasm and pent-np feelings. Song, “Mona,” Mrs Martin (oncored). Pianofroto items were well rendered by Mrs Lister and Miss Bain, and the numerous accompaniments by Mesdamos Martin and Griffiths,'Misses Gnrr, Coleman, Edie Were, and Mr N. Day. Before dispersing Mr King thanked all present for the valuable help and kindness shown, the National Anthem was sung, and then, with reluctant footsteps, faces were turned homeward, thus concluding one more page in the hook of local history. If Dame Rumour can ho relied on, there is every prospect of an Amateur Dramatic Society being formed hero, so wo are . naturally anticipating a merry time in the near future.