A SUCCESSFUL OPENING.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13728, 17 March 1915, Page 4 (Supplement)

A SUCCESSFUL OPENING.

BRILLIANT SPECTACULAR DIS-

PLAY

(From "The Colonist," March 2.)

The Fete of Nations and Bazaar in aid of the funds of the Band of the 12th Regiment was opened ,'v the Theatre Royal last, evening by l\lv T. A. H. Field, M.l*., who, after apologising for the absence of the Mayor, thanked the committee for the1 honour they had done him in asking him to open the function. Before doing so MrField spoke of the objects of the carnival. In the first place, he said, a certain proportion of the profits would be devoted to one or .tnoro of the patriotic funds, in which they were all laudably interested. Then there was the band itself. The carnival, explained Mr Field, was arranged a year ago, but it was impossible then to the services of the organiser, and it had to be held over. Then the war broke out, and it was deferred until the present. If it had not been held uon the services of the organiser would hare been lost. The Band had done a very great deal over since the war broke out last August. At every popular demonstration the Band had been one of the principal features. Had they received anything for their services ? No. Had they wanted anything? No. Now they were appealing to the public to help them to pay their debts. Was that not a laudable object? And it was an object the public could help the Band to achieve. Referring to the carnival, Mr Field said that it was the first time a carnival of this extent 7iad Iveen undertaken in Nelson, and in Mr Lints the Band had secured the services of "an organiser of organisers." Before concluding his remarks. Mr Field on behalf of the committee, acknowledged with grateful thanks the assistance and help of tho ladies. He then declared the carnival open, amidst applause. The Theatre Royal, fresh from tho hands of the decorator, and brilliantly lighted with electricity, presented a gay appearance with its brightly decorated stalls and throngs of people, who included numerous assistants and performers in fancy costumes. A varied programme nf spectacular marches, dances, gymnastic displays, ami tableaux was presented under the able direction of Mr William Lints, the organiser, who in a remarkably short Rpace of time has trained the numerous young performers to a high state of efficiency. The first ltvin presented was the "March of Flowers" by a squad of girls, representing eight different flowers. They executed a number of intricate evolutions wit.li remarkable precision, the cl!'o:-t of which was heightened considerably by coloured electric lights. Then followed a ballet by Misses Edna Scott, .Pattie Elliott, S. St. .John A. Kd>->;-, C Dayman, G. Wells, F. Bicket-ts, ar.d I. Wells, which was performed with artistic grace and elicited hearty r.ppbiusc. '"The Quaker ■Girl," a s.«.'g ;uul march by Miss E, Beirno (sololist) and Misses M. Dayman, E. Barnes, R. Johnston, V. Mercer, 1. Louisson, 11. Edmondson, K. Dayman. A. Pellew, J. Jack M. Prussing, I. Bird, and A. liobb, followed, and was ■deservedly encored. The statuary, pyramids," and parallel bar tableaux, by a squad of young girls, was the next item, and it found great favour with the audience. The performers were attired in whitt> sweaters and bloomers, and the artistic groupings, against a black background, were very effective, the heart}* applause which followed the-'con-clusion of the act* necessitating a repeLition. The patriotic song and march, "The Soldier," the solo of which was taken by Miss Pattie Elliott, was another popular item. The march was capably done by Misses Kearns, G. King, G. Kiclsok, T. PeHssv. E. Swainson, I. Ividson, M. Jones, and A. Hawke, and the soloist was the recipient of a floral tribute. A graceful and artistic exhibition of the Hesitation Waltz was given by Miss Edna Scott and Mr William Lints, an encore being demanded, and the first part concluded with the spectacular march, ''The Allies," in which the various nations were represented by young ladies in appropriate costumes." The soloist was Miss Pattie Elliott and the leaders were Misses Prussing, Adams, Kearns, and Bradley. The march concluded with an effective tableau, in which Britanniawas represented by Miss Ror.a Hamilton. ' . After three-quarters of an hour s interval, during which tho stallholders had their innings, the second part was proceeded with. The first item was "The Silvery Moon," sung by Misses Edna Scott and Pattie Elliott. Four couples were seated behind white umbrellas, and the shadows caused by the electric effects were most amusing. A dainty Cupid seated on a crescent moon, suspended in mid-air, added a most charming effect, and the number had to be repeated. A costume dance, by ''seven little Hollanders," which followed was heartily applauded, after which the solo and chorus, "Old Erin, the Shamrock, and You," was rendered by Miss Kearns, soloist, and Misses Louisson, E Burn, M. Dayman, V. Mercer, M Prussing, F. Kearns, P. Elliott,.and E." Scott. "' The stage effects in this number were unique. A screen of shamrocks was placed across the stage, and as the letters of the word "Shamrock" were placed along the- top the chorus girls sang an appropriate verse, with their heads through openings made in the leaves. Needless to say, the number was repeated A catchy waltz refrain, /'Teach Ale to Float on the Rolling Sen," Miss Pattie Elliott (soloist), with chorus of girls (Misses F, Scott.. E. St. John, A. Edser, C. Dayman, G. Wells, F. Rickets, and I. Wells), in-elaborate bathinff costumes and umbrellas, and concluding with a clever acrobatic danco by Miss Elliott and Mr Lints, was a. most popular item, the dancers being compelled to respond to an encore Inc errand Empire flag march, in winch *ndia, England, South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Canada, and Australia were represented, was then given by a squad of ladies, whose movements were executed with great precision. The flag effect was very fine and was heartily applaudad. Alter a brief interval the programme concluded with another spectacular march of the \llies around an electrically lit pedestal on which was seated Bntannia (Miss Rona Hamilton). As with the other marches, the evolutions were carried out with, great precision, and the curtain fell amidst rounds of applause. Certainly Mr Lints is to be congratulated upon the results achieved. •In efficient orchestra rendered valuable service throughout the -evening The instrumentalists were:-ftlr C. l. Weblev, direction (piano), Misses K. FairhaH, M. Ward, M. Joyce. Rowe, Messrs A. Rowe, C. Tucker A Parianson (violins), W. T Brundell (clarionet), v Tirkcon (flute), J. Richards (corJet *&! Ward' ('cello) Mr Walker -trombone), Mr Cyril Rout (bass). The stalls and stallholders were as ° Produce Stall (Japan): Mesdames Harlev (in charge), Robertson, V ming, Cook *F; Edwards, Gibbs, Misses Jones, Murray, Littlejohn, Bisley Sweet Stall (British): Miss "Ward (in charge), Mrs Morgan; Misses Monson, Harkness, Vimng, Bisley, Coote, SnodSrpS.Vs Markot (Irish): Mesdomos Squires and Brundell (in charge), Armstrong. Guy, F Lock W. Johnston. Nicol, Misses Thomas, Farme. .Bomfaco, Cameron, Hood E. Fousumx. Continental Cafe (trance and BelghVmy Z the Oddfellows' Hall): Me,, dames Hamilton, Stiles, »^ls . Hughes. W. Hughes, • I<«*. £iohjjett and 'Shervrood. Waitresses:

Misses Thornton, Gibbs, Boyes (2), Fin nigan (2), Bmndell. Waiters: Messrs St. John (2), West, Sherwood, Batchelor, Shallcrass. Mnrch 3. There was a good attendance at the Theatre Royal last .night, when the Fete of Nations and Bazaar in aid of the 12th Regiment Band reached its record evening. 'Among the stage items, a particularly warm reception was given to the Hesitation Waltz, danced by Miss Edna Scott and Mr W. Lints, and to the clever dance contributed by Miss Pattie Elliott and Mr Lints at the conclusion of the song and chorus, "Teach Me to Float on the Rolling Sea." The ladies named were the recipients of beautiful bouquets. The other*, numbers on the programme also gave' pleasure, and the Empire March was considered especially fine. March 4. For the third night of the Fete of Nations and Bazaar now being held at the Theatre Royal in aid of the funds of the Band of the 12th Regiment, there was a packed audience. The programme of dances, songs, marches, etc., was moat enthusiastically received, especially the items which appealed to the patriotic spirit of the public. At the conclusion of the March of the Allies tlie changing of the. flags to the Union Jack was cleverly done by the leaders of the different squads, and was greeted with rounds of applause. The exhit bition of the Tango was given by Miss j Edna Scott and Mr W. Lints, and was generously applauded, the lady receiving several floral tributes. Other popu(Jar items were "Old Erin," the dance by the Little Hollanders the ballet, I "'Silvery Moon." "Teach me to Float on the Rolling Sea," and the physical culture exercises. Most of the principals were recipients of bouquets. Marc 1: 6. Another splendid attendance greeted the fourth performance oi the Fete of Nations at the Tbentiv Royal last ovening. The Mayor was ;imoii.- those present. Th»j di:i:i'rs, ;is o« t!u> previous evenings, \wv-v exceik'-ntly carried through. Ji'r W. Lin Is <<,tv can exhibition with chiH!,')-tK'!is. v.'.id received an ovation. So\it;il new items will be introduced this <>\eaing, and to-morrow afternoon tlit-re ■ wili be ;i inaiinee for the children. To-morroi" evening Is expected to l-e the «,re;i! nigiit of the week, and an eH'ort i ;i beia;-; made to arrange for a wpeoial train t.> suit retui'niny- country folk. The ladies in charge of the various (iepartinents, with their assistants, havo been very active, and as a result, the takings have been considerably augmented. The tea kiosk, which is located in the Oddfellows' Hall, has done a thriving business. March G.

There was another large attendance at the Theatre Royal last night at the Fete of Nations and Bazaar in aid of the 12th Piegiment Band. The way in which the programme has been varied during the week has reflected the greatest credit on performers and organiser alike. March 12. The Theatre Royal was entirely filled last night, when an additional performance of Fete of Nations items was given in aid of the 12th Regiment- Band. On1 all sides commendations n«re extended to the performers, who have in a comparatively short space of time reached such v praiseworthy standard of excellence. Vocal fiul dancing principals, choruses and ballet, and rhe numerous' auxiliaries ali. came in for t> .share of applause. The playing of ihe orchestra enhanced the pleasure of the evening. Mr \V. Lints announced that another programme of a similar kind would be ! presented on the night oi' the corona-' [tion day (Wednesday, March 17th). An incident of the coronation will be a pageant- of .flowers, taken part in by two hundred children.