ENJOYABLE CONCERT

Waipa Post, Volume 41, Issue 3189, 16 August 1930, Page 5

ENJOYABLE CONCERT

MAGPIE MELODY MAKERS AT OHAUPO. The Ohaupo Memorial Hall was packed to the doors on Thursday evening when one of the most enjoyable concerts ever presented there was staged by the "Magpie Melody Makers," a talented combination of amateurs from Ohaupo and neighbourhood. The proceeds of the concert are to be devoted to charity purposes. The stage was most effectively decorated, and it blended well with the trim and pretty costumes of the entertainers. Proceedings opened with an overture, " Ivanhoe," by the orchestra, Mrs Wiley, Miss Edwards, Messrs Nichols and Wiley, and then followed:— Open chorus, " Sunny Side Up, Magpies; solo, " If I Might Only Come to You," Mr Ogg; rag choruses, "Pickin' Petals," etc., Magpies; recitation, selected, Miss Ryburn; solo and chorus, "Painting the Clouds," Mr Bland and chorus; quartette, topical verses, Messrs Grayling, Ogg, Elliot, and Smillie; solo, "Mummy's Eyes," Miss Elliot; sketch, " The Stolen Drink," Messrs Elliot and Ogg; humorous, " Silly Willie," Mr Smillie; entr'acte, " Pythian," Orchestra; tableau, "An Indian Scene," Magpies; recitation, selected, Miss Ryburn; solo and chorus, " Toy Drum Major " (a) orchestration, (b) vocal solo and chorus, Mr Brand and chorus; solo, " The Deathless Army," Mr Grayling; duet, " A Perfect Day," Messrs Bland and Ogg; sketch, " Sold Again," Messrs Grayling and Smillie; humorous, selected, Mr Smillie; sketch, " The Rajah's Ruby," Magpies; finale, " Sunny Side Up," Magpies. Mrs Wiley won golden encomiums as musical directress.

With practically every item excellent, it would be invidious to discriminate, but some really must be mentioned. The instrumental and vocal item, "The Toy Drum Major," with Mr Bland and chorus, was so much enjoyed that double encores were vociferously demanded. Another item of unusual merit was the playlet, " The Rajah's Ruby," in which practically the whole company figured, with credit to themselves and the producer. The audience enjoyed it immensely, and was not slow in showing appreciation. Mr Bland and chorus were also heard and seen to advantage in the phantasy, " Painting the Clouds," and the tableau, "An Indian Scene," by the company, was another very good item. Much merriment was caused by the male quartette with the topical verses, for local celebrities were lampooned without regard to dignity or opulence; the references were, in almost all cases, clever, and the " targets" accepted the good-natured jibes in the spirit ■in which they were given, appearing to as thoroughly enjoy the items as the rest of the audience. The choruses throughout the evening were tuneful and bright, and the whole performance was meritorious, as was indicated clearly-by the number of recalls demanded.

At the close of a happy evening, supper was served and an impromptu dance arranged. It is understood the net receipts from the entertainment will be between £ls and £2O.