“A SHEER DELIGHT.”

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 661, 14 January 1933, Page 25 (Supplement)

“A SHEER DELIGHT.”

Young Australia League Entertainers. A prominent citizen of Palmerston North and a well-known musician thus expressed himself as he was leaving the Opera House after listening to the programme given by the boys of the Young Australia League, and these sentiments aptly express the feelings of all: “A sheer delight.” It does not matter which part of the programme one is particularly interested in, whether it be music, vocal or violin solos or comedy, the balance of what is offered is so good as to make the whole a sheer delight. The Press in every town visited has been unanimous in its praise of the programme submitted, and in every case has stressed the point that the quality of entertainment would be excellent for an adult professional show, but for youngsters whose ages range from eight to fifteen the performance was nothing short of amazing. Of the individual performers one has to be careful to particularise owing to the excellence of each, but one can say that no better characterisation of 44 Burlington Bertie ” and the “ Simple Country Curate ” has been given than is rendered by Colin Croft, a boy of nine years of age. Then there is little Charlie Stanton, the youngest and smallest drum-major in the world. He is a born showman and his leading of the band is like that of a veteran instead of a child of eight years. Ken Slater, another eight-year-old comedian, sings in character, “ The Little Shirt My Mother Made for Me,” and one has to see him singing it to appreciate to the full his characterisation. There are two excellent violinists, with another two excellent vocalists. The band numbers are said to be nothing short of a revelation, staged as was done at the State Theatre, Sydney. The effects produced, coupled with wonderful tone and control of the instruments, remind one of the best of the Guards’ bands, in miniature. The 44 Sleeping Camp” will commence at the Theatre Royal on Saturday next, January 21. The plan is now open at The Bristol. The net profits of the tour go to New Zealand charities.