Y.M.C.A. OLYMPIAD AND CONCERT.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18637, 5 August 1930, Page 2

Y.M.C.A. OLYMPIAD AND CONCERT.

SUCCESSFUL FUNCTION. Recognition of the good work which the Y.M.C.A., has done for young men and boys in Timaru has been expressed in many ways in the past, but i urther evidence of the fact that the institution is regarded as a real asset to the town was to be had in the large audience which attended the concert and olympiad in the Theatre Royal last night. With light rain falling in the early part of the evening, the promoters of the performance had some misgivings as to the outcome of the venture, but when the curtain rose at 8 o’clock re.ealing a wellfilled house, all doubts were dispelled. A:; the entire proceeds were to be devoted to the work of the Y.M.C.A., in Timaru, a good many people braved the elements to assist the cause, and there were none present who regretted having left their cheery fire-sides. The peiiormance was an entire success, and those responsible for its production are deserving of every praise. The programme was well varied, comprising as it did vocal, elocutionary, musical and gymnastic items, and not for a moment was the audience permitted to lose interest. The concert itself was well worth hearing, artists of repute from outside districts having offered their services gratuitously to assist the movement. Madam Winnie Fraser, of Oamaru. Mrs F. H. Ruddenklau, of Rangu-ta Island, Mrs Percy El worthy, of Gordon’s Valley, Mr Wilfred Kershaw, of Dunedin, Mr Howard Foster, of Waimate, Mr R. A. Malcolm and Lieutenant W. H. Osborne, of Timaru, formed a bouquet of artists, whom any audience would be glad to welcome. Their efforts last night were appreciated to the full, and the pity of it was that time did not permit of a large number of encores being given in the second portion of the programme. The efforts of members of the Y.M.C.A. gymnasium classes were also greatly enjoyed. To most of those present, the display of the type given was novel, and appreciation of the various items was expressed in prolonged applause. Following the playing of the National Anthem, an orchestra of sixteen, under the baton of Mr Inglis W. Todd, played tw r o delightful numbers, “March” (J. S. Bach) and “Peasants Song and Dance” (Adam Carse). The orchestra also opened the second portion of the programme with a bracket of numbers, both of which were exceedingly well played. The grand march of the gymnasts was headed by the senior men, nine in number, they being followed by the members of the ladies’ class, thirteen in all. The latter presented an attractive appearance in their navy gym. frocks with white blouses and red ties. Then came the boys, the youngest of whom were given a rousing reception. On the completion, of a well performed maze, the ladies class gave a splendid exhibition of exercise with dumb-bells, all their movements being characterised by smartness and precision. An exhibition of ground exercises by the senior men met with the hearty approval of the audience, as did also a number of gymnastic feats by Messrs K. Moffatt and C. Bradley. Later in the evening, the same performers gave further evidence of their prowess in this direction when they appeared on the horizontal bar and “bucking bronco.” Mr Howard Foster was the first soloist to appear, and he Immediately won favour with an impressive interpretation of “Muleteer of Malaga” (Trotere). Mr Foster has a baritone voice of pleasing quality, and he was given full scope to display his ability in the number selected. As an encore he sang the ever-popular “Waiata Poi ” the audience enjoying the number thoroughly. Later in the evening Mr Foster sang “The Pagan” (Herman Lohr). This number was somewhat heavier than the others, but nevertheless was expressively rendered. Mrs F. H. Ruddenklau, who was making her debut to a Timaru audience, was given a wann welcome. She selected two light numbers on her initial appearance, “My Ships” (■Augustus Barratt) and “My Prayer” (W. H. Squire). Mrs Ruddenklau did not take long to settle down to her work, and created a most favourable imnression. She was recalled twice, and this was but fitting. On the first oecaison she sahg “I am Longing for the Spring,” and on the second “By The Blue River.” Both numbers, though short, were artistically rendered. Mrs Percy Elworthy, who contributed several violin solos, also proved very popular. She showed discrimination in the selection of her items, and presented each one in a manner which could not fail to please. Her opening number was “Larghetto and Allegro” from Sonata in D (G. F. Handel), and so feeling was this played, that she was obliged to respond with “Hymnie Au Soleil.” In the second half, Mrs Elworthy contributed in the same masterly manner “Sicilienne” and “Danzas Espanolas.” Madame Winnie Fraser, who is wellknown to Timaru audiences, won hearty applause by her artistic presentations. She sang several numbers in her own inimitable style, and the more she sang, the more the audience demanded. Opening with “Oh! Moon of My Delight,” Madame Fraser returned to further delight her listeners with “Spreading The News,” and “The Star.” She did not appear in any solos in the second half, but was delightfully pleasing in a duet with Mr Kershaw, entitled “Still As the Night,” which formed a fitting conclusion to a splendid entertainment. Mr Wilfred Kershaw, who is considered to be one of the finest bass singers in New Zealand, made himself very popular. Despite the fact that I his first number, “II Lacerato Spirito” was sung in a foreign tongue, it was thoroughly enjoyed. The beauty of the piece would have been lost had it been made intelligible, so far as the words were concerned. As an encore, Mr Kershaw sang “Time to Go.” Mr R. A. Malcolm, whose musical monologues always find ready acceptance, again proved himself an artist of no mean ability. Firstly he gave “The Colonel,” which concerned an officer of the old school, who took a dislike to 1 he stories of battle as broadcasted by the younger generation of officers, and as an encore he enacted the role of an old Scotchman, who had never been to war, but who had told so many battle stories that he had convinced himself that he had been in them. Lieutenant Osborne gave two very aeeeotable cornet solos, one “Lucille.’ which was a test solo at the band contest. in Dunedin early in the year, and the other “Requiem.” The accompaniments were ably played by Mesdames G. A. Martin, A. S. Elworthy and G. Donaldson.