CREDITABLE EFFORT

Stratford Evening Post, Volume I, Issue 84, 18 March 1931, Page 6

CREDITABLE EFFORT

ST. PATRICK’S CONCERT TOWN HALL ENTERTAINMENT St. Patrick’s conceit, staged in (ho Town Hall last night, provided a most enjoyable entertainment for the large crowd present, and il was a general opinion that the duality of tin? programme surpassed any St. Patrick’s function of recent years. Lasting over two hours, the programme went without a hitch, and the insistent demands of Hie audience for encores from the first item to tiie last, showed a happy appreciation of the performers’ efforts. In keeping with (he festival of St. Patrick, the >ogramme was purely national in < aracter. Old and familiar i’-ish melodies were hoard again, but in h ■ repetition nothing of their enduring charm was lost. Appropriate, too, were the stage decorations in emerald green, wi‘h the harp and shamrock figuring prominently, while leaves and (dusters of hydrangeos lent a pleasing touch to the arrangement. A survey of the programme reveals the names of several visiting artists, and their inclusion contributed to make a very well-balanced programme. Such was the general excellence of (ho whole of the items that it would he hardly tit to apportion (he honours of the evening, but Hie mention might, he made of (he vocal solos of Miss M. Massey, who received an ovation at the conclusion of her opening number, “Kathleen Mavonrneen,” and before the audience was satisfied sin; was obliged to give (wo recalls. The contest pieces by -tiie Boys’ Band, under the condnctorsliip of Mr. McCaskill, march, “Victoria,” and test selection, Verdi’s “Recollections,” played as the opening item of (he concert, was of interest in view of the

near approach of the contest, and the proficiency of the boys was favourably commented on. Miss .Myra Wilson, in her elocutionary Hems, charmed (he audience, and her items were undoubtedly annum the most popular of the performance. Mr. W. Hall, who has earned honours further afield for his elocution, scored a success in his humorous items. Parents must have been very pleased indeed with the children’s items, which were a popular feature of (lie programme. The young performers presented a very pretty picture in the harp drill, and in all their appearances gave a finished performance, which reflected the painstaking tuition of the Convent Sisters.As accompanist, Miss Beryl Masters had probably (he most arduous duties of (he evening. With the exception of (he children’s items, for which Miss K. Hynes played, she accompanied all (he vocalists and without apparent effort she ably supplemented their renditions. Messrs. T. Sullivan and T. O’Leary made capable stage managers. The programme, with encores, was as follows; Selection, Hoys’ Hand; vocal solo, “Killarney” and “Just a World of Roses,” Miss Id. fladsby; chorus, “() Erin, Dear Erin,” School children; solo “Mountains o’ Mourno” and “Love’s Old Sweet Song,” Mr. Pollock; recitation, “Dear Harp of My Country,” and “An Irish Cradle Song,” Miss Ethel Newlove; vocal solo, “The Mills of Donegal” and “My Irish Daddy Knows,” Miss Hope Grant; vocal duet.

“The Moon Math Raised Her Lamp” and “Pokarelvare,” Messrs. 15. Malone and Pratt; instrumental trio, “Londonderry Air” and “Valse Song” (Faust), Miss Hlennerhasset (violin), Miss Saunders (cello); harp drill. Convent School pupils; orchestral selection, “Irish Airs,” School Orchestra; vocal solos, “Kathleen Mavour neon,” “She is Far From the Land,’ and “Solveig Song” ((Ireig), Miss Mary Massey; vocal solo, “Macnshla and “Relieve Me If All Those lOndeai ins Young Charms,” Mr. Pratt; elocu-