ENTERTAINMENT AT THE THEATRE.

Colonist, Volume LIII, Issue 13143, 27 June 1911, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT AT THE THEATRE.

The .unique entertainment given by members of the Nelson Savago Club in the Theatre Royal last evening in aid of the funds of the Nelson Technical School, proved a great success, there being present a large, and highly appreciative audience. The programme was similar in character to that given on the occasion of tJie. " 'Ard Up Night" on Saturday evening. The programme opened in a noyel manner. On the rise of the curtain the stage was in total darkness, and the strains of the "Sweet Bye and Bye" floated into the auditorium, but as the candles ol the. " 'ard ups" were lighted the autlionce fairly rocked with laughter at the ludicrous transformation—the performers appearing in a variety of grotesque costumes, and lounging about the stage—some on boxes, the majority on the floor. The orchestra having performed an inspiring overture, the Great Chief, described as "Bankrupt Bill," announced that the occasion was "Bill's Birthday," and the programme, which was of a diversified character, comprising vocal and instrumental solos, monologues, stories, etc., was contributed to by a numbei of "Bills" whose identity was not easily discernible. A conspicuous figure was "Bootlace Bill" whose fine tenor ycieo was heard to great advantage in "A Merry Monk." In response to a vociferous encore he gave an artistic rendering of "Sally in Our Alley." "Bludger Bill" also contributed some excellent items to the programme, the most appreciated being, "The Irish Orchestra." "Brass Nail Bill," and "Boodle Bill" proved adepts at the art of story telling, the former's lectures on ancient and modern history quite bringing down the house. The latter was no less successful in his collection of short stories. Another "Bill" contributed a flute solo in a finished style, and "Boyang Bill" sang "The Young Curate," which met with a demonstrative encore. The pathetic monologue, "The Old Actor," was given with fine dramatic force by another "Bill" who appeared in a topical duet, "Really, Great Scott!" with another performers of that name. This tvas one of the cleverest items of the evening, the allusion to a.spar which took place between witness and counsel during the hearing of a recent Court case quite bringing down the house. "My Old Dutch," by "Coster 8i.1," with chorus, met with hearty appreciation, the encore number was equally well received. Quartettes, including "The Four Local Bodymen" (with local hits) a parody on "Four Jolly Sailormen," duets and "The Harem Skirt March," by the orchestra concluded a programme which for novelty and cleverness has not been equalled in Nelson for a long time.