‘TILL GABRIEL S RALLY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 96, 26 April 1933, Page 8

‘TILL GABRIEL S RALLY

THE “DIGGERS” WAR SCENA ANSWER TO A DEEP QUERY. BIG AUDIENCE STANDS IN SILENCE. Au audience that packed the Opera House to the doors last night accorded well merited applause to tho War Scena, “The Diggers Abroad,” promoted by the Wanganui Empire Veterans’ Association in aid of comrades in distress. There were no vacant scats in the building and passageways were availed of. Several people were turned away. Such an audience gave concrete evidence of the public desire for an entertainment of such a nature on the night of Anzac Day. It was an entertainment which displayed. the spirit of war to provide an inspiration to greater effort iu peace. Song filled a prominent place in the life of the army and it was natural that last night’s show should be based on war time airs. “The Long, Long Trail,” “Oh, it’s a Lovely War,” “AH Together Again,” “We are Bill Massey’s Army” and other songs that awoke old memories were skilfully placed on a programme which had a deep meaning. Behind the evident spirit of levity was a query—“ Where do they go when they get hit?” Though the scene opened in an cstamiuet and amid an atmosphere of “Vin blanc” and “vin rouge,” with a “sweetie” looking after the drinks from behind the bar, aud there was much jollification, there was ever present the note of a uation at war. Under the outward spirit of laughter and fun was the inevitable query: -‘Where do they go when tho bullet gets them?” The scene changed, from tiiebrightness of the estaminct to the bleak seriousness of the front line trenches. “Bill” and “Nobby,” on the fire step, under their jokes and satire, still pondered the inevitable question. Men wore carried away on stretchers aud the query mounted in significance. Even the Padre, though he was certain of an after life, was unconvincing so far as the men themselves were concerned. Again the scene changed to the frivolity of the estaminct. “ Where are the men who did not return.” After an hour of jollification that question asked again when the Padre was questioned about a new recruit Felix Montague. “I buried him after the last ‘stunt.’ said the Padre. ‘He was a brave man.’ A silent toast was drunk in his honour and to the honour of all who fell. As the men stood to attention there camo the answer to the deep question every war must ask. It. was supplied in the words of song by Mr. N. L. Tyler:— “Trumpeter, what are you sounding now? Is it the call I’m seeking-?• “I’m calling them home” said the trumpter tall, And my trumpet’s but faintly speaking. Come home', come home! tread light o’er the dead in the Valley. They are lying around, face down to the ground, And can’t hear the* sound of my rally. But they’ll hear it again, in a grand refrain, As Gabriel sounds the last rally.” It was a splendid final scene. Men stood to attention and sang lustily—- “ And they’ll hear it again, in a grand refrain, when Gabriel sounds the lastrally.” As the music died away, there came the muted notes of the bugle, faint and far-sounding the “Last Post.” The “Trumpeter” calling them home.” The big audience then realised the true significance of the entertainment that had been promoted, and. rose and stood in silence till the last, sad notes had died away, and the curtain fell, shutting out the sight of war but leaving a memory of the sacrifice made for an Empire. When the curtain rose again the orchestra, under Mr. H. J. Trussell, offered the National Anthem and performers aud audience sang it lustily. It was like a tribute to all that had gone to make the Empire what it was. There was still ringing in the ears the spirited notes of “Colonel Bogey,” the sweet refrain of the “Rose of No-man’s Land” (sung by Mr. George Boshier and Mrs. Bellringer with realistic scenery and display), the rollicking tune of “Mademoiselle from Atrmentiers. ” and the rousing chorus of “Pack Up Your Troubles.” But over them all rose the Trumpeter’s muted notes, calling them home “Till Gabriel Sounds the Last Rally.” The performance resulted in £B2 being collected for the good cause, relief of distress among returned soldiers. Those who played prominent parts were Mesons. C. 8. Brown, N. D. Tyler.

Bob Howell, W. .T. Melville, George Boshier, Sid Kendall, Peter Buchan W. Emla and Maori party, J. Phillips. Leu Whelan, George McElwain, Monty Hartwell, Geoff. Hunt and Alf Phillips, Ted Martin. Bert Masson and Bob Ollivcr.