PRESBYTERIAN CONCERT

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 77, Issue 6974, 6 October 1948, Page 6

PRESBYTERIAN CONCERT

MEN’S CLUB ENTERTAINS VARIED AND INTERESTING PROGRAMME The attendance was gratifying! y large last evening when the Te Awamutu Presbyterian Men’s Club presented a varied and-, comprehensive concert in the Presbyterian Hall. The president of the Club, Mr W. G. Macky, officiated as chairman, and contributions were made to an excellent programme by a number of local and visiting vocal artists, an instrumental quintet, and participants in two one-act plays. The programme opened with orchestral presentations of excerpts from the opera “Rigoletto” (Verdi) and “Sizilietta” under the leadership of Mr R. C. Judd. The Orchestra gave a very creditable rendition of these selections, and the playing offstage of the melodic theme of “Sizilietta” by the cornet was most appealing and much superior to the muted effects. In combination with strings and woodwind the trumpet is recognised as the peer of the cornet, but in “La Donna e Mobile,” from “Rigoletto,” the soloist showed that the usually despised cornet can be effectively blended with fightertoned instruments without losing its characteristic incisiveness. Had the ensemble included the ’cello, Rigoletto’s stirring song of vengeance one of the key pieces, together with the famous quintette, might have completed to the fullest satisfaction the selection of numbers from an extremely beautiful range of music. Vocal Items The first song of the evening was presented by the well-known Te Awamutu soprano, Mirs Knox Clark, whose presentation comprised “When Daisies Pied,” a fragrant air, and “I Will Give My Love An Apple.” Mr H. Parker then favoured the audience with two characteristic numbers, “The Ragged Vagabond” and “I Love Zpmeone’in Zomerset.” Mr Parker specialises in songs of a robust nature, to which his virile voice is particularly suited. Vocal presentations were continued with two numbers sung by Miss Hazel Fear, the first an expressive modern song entitled “Lorraine, Lorraine, Loree,” and the second “Vespers,” both sung with fine musical feeling. “The Things I Tell My Mother” and “Gdds and Ends,” excellently interpreted by Mrs Wishart, concluded the vocal portion of the evening’s programme. Produced by Mr A. G. A. Baigent, a pre-wedding melodrama which featured a character named “Nicodemus,” was presented by A. E. Wishart (Jonathan), Mary M. Macky (Matilda), David Sterritt (Nicodemus), Vic Reid (the Vicar), Alison M. Simpson (Emma), and A. G. A. Baigent (Luke). The scene was “the livingroom of a rustic cottage in the little village of Hairini.” Nicodemus’ parents are faced with the situation of a son—.“marrying respectable, thank goodness”—who concludes that marriage is not all it is said to be, and decides he is “not in the mood for it.” The prospective bride, Rebecca Hollycoek, so far as Nicodemus is concerned, is left to her own devices, and no amount of remonstration by his parents, Rebecca’s Aunt Emma, and the Vicar can induce a change of mind. Finally, Luke, Nicodemus’ grandfather succeeds where the others fail with a graphic appeal to the imagination of the reluctant wouldbe bridegroom. There is general cel-, ebration at this, turned to consternation by the discovery that Rebecca has in the meantime “run off with the best man.” The play contains subtle implications, especially in the parts of the conciliatory cleric and the practical but poetic grandfather. Its appeal is primarily humorous, and its capable presentation contributed much to the pleasure of the evening’s entertainment. “March Wedding” The second play, “March Wledding,” was produced by Mrs J. J. Bailey, and enacted by members of the Te Awamutu Wlomen’s Institute. The cast comprised Mrs A. W|atson (Diana, the bride), M,rs De Fresne (Mrs Wilton), Mrs K. W. Burgess (Tony), Mrs P. O’Brien (Allison), Mrs Irvine (Mavis), Mrs Macken (Miss Moulton), and Mrs Wjard (Alice). This play is also based on a scene prior to a wedding, and the talented cast gave a polished performance of a presentation which could easily descend to banalities. The story is written round the popular theme of a fnarriaoe contracted from a sense of duty. The prospective bridegroom is credited with the saving of the family fortune, but the arrival of a mysterious Miss Moulton throws light on a financial intrigue calculated to place Diana under an. obligation her father’s saviour. The designing Miss Moulton fails to score, however, and “March Wedding” becomes a wedding march. The well-modulated voices of the participants was a feature of this play, although the part of Miss Mioulton might have benefited by a less studied approach on the stage and more study of the dialogue. The presentation generally was pleasing and the cast was warmly applauded by an appreciative audience. At the conclusion of the concert Mr Mjacky thanked the artists on behalf of the Presbyterian Men’s Club for their contributions to the programme. They realised that in the two plays presented they had seen two really good shows, and they particularly thanked those of the casts and other artists who had come .a long way to take part in the evening’s entertainment.

The chairman’s remarks were endorsed by the audience in the usual way, and the function concluded with sunuer provided by members of the Club, with the valued assistance of the ladies.