TE KOAS,

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXIV, Issue 17654, 2 September 1919, Page 8

TE KOAS.

AT OPERA HOUSE THIS EVENING

Speaking of the Te Koas, who appear at the Opera House this evening, an exchange writes:—Mr Owen Pritchard is to be congratulated on i the achievements of the Te Koas, the soldier concert party, who have been repeating to large audience of < the Gishorne Town Hall for the past six' nights the entertainment which was in such popular vogue with their fellow "Diggers" at the front. Apart from the appeal that the troupe themselves would exert through being soldiers, the show they put on made an emphatic appeal on its own merits, and from the opening chorus and Maori war cry to the final sketch it went with a swing and a vim worthy of any professional attempt. There was a packed and enthusiast tic audience on Wednesday night, and interest was maintained at top pressure at each performance. k Mr Herb. Richards proved a tenor of excellent calibre. Mr Stan. Pritchard is the possessor of an uncommonly good baritone voice. With Mr Richards he was associated in one of the outstanding vocal successes of the evening, "Watchman, What of the Night?" Mr Les. Walton, an elocutionist of high attainments, aroused the audience to admiration with his dramatic delivery of "The Aristocrat." Mr Wally Edwards made a distinctly good-looking soubrette. Miss Tui Hillyer, an Auckland soprano, supplied the note of feminity for the "merry men," and her artistically sung numbers were pleasing in the extreme. The life and soul of the party was Mr Owen Pritchard, who as director and organiser, vocalist and comedian, saw' that there was no weak link in the chain of mirth and melody. Mr Len. Elliott was an efficient accompanist, cO'Operationg cheerfully with the performers. A aovel little sketch "Where Did That One Go?" concluded the entertainment. The company will commence a four nights' season at the Opera House to-night.