SONGS OF OLD ERIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 65, 18 March 1937, Page 9

SONGS OF OLD ERIN

ST. PATRICK’S NIGHT CONCERT A SPLENDID PROGRAMME Songs of old Ireland stirred memories in the minds of many listeners last night when the annual St. Patrick’s night concert was held in the Opera House. The attendance was very good and an excellent programme, arranged by Miss V. Rata Johnston, was presented. As in other years, this function proved a great attraction and well-earned applause frequently bore testimony to the ppoularity of the artists. The Wanganui Garrison Band, in good form after its success at the New Zealand contests, opened the programme with the “Action Front,’’ to be followed by a selection of Irish airs. A descriptive fantasia entitled "The Sailor's Life” was also played by the band.

bast night’s concert would have pleased St. Patrick himself had he been in the audience. All the favourites which have given Irish music a high standard were included and the programme was essentially Old Erin in character. The proceeds were in aid of the Home of Compassion, a deserving cause, and before the concert concluded, the Rev. Father C. J. Outrim, S.M., thanked the Mayor of Wanganui (Mr. W. J. Rogers), the public who had attended and those who had contributed in any way toward presenting a splendid entertainment.

“The Fairy Tales of Ireland," a soprano solo by Mrs. H. Cuming, of Wellington, was among the items featured, as also were “Three Hearts of Old Ireland,” sung by Mr. Colin Franklin Browne, “The Hills of Donegal,” by Mrs. Leo Campion, and two tenor solos by Mr. Clair Sherriffs, of Palmerston North: "Rose of Tralee” and “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.” Mrs. Cuming encored with “Moira My Girl,” Mr. Colin Franklin Browne with “Sweet Mystery of Life,” and Mrs. Leo Campion with "Mother Machree.” Credit must also be given to the sisters of the Sacred Heart and St. Mary's Convents, and also to the Marist Brothers, for the excellent singing of the various choirs. Pupils of Wanganui dancing schools also assisted the programme to a considerable extent. The accompanist was Mr. F. Stokes and the duties of stage manager were carried out by Mr. Thomas D. Mitchell.

Other items presented were as follow: "The Valley Lies Smiling Before Me” and “A Toast to Dear Old Erin” (Marist Brothers’ Schoolboys), a dance trio by pupils of Miss M. Swann’s Braemar School of Dancing;

“My Native Land” and “Erin, the Tear,” by the choir of St. Mary’s Convent; a monologue, “Irish Romance," by Miss Joan Barry; a pianoforte duet, “Irish "antasia," by Misses Colleen Cosgrove and Denyse Coakley, both pupils of Miss V. Rata Johnston; an Irish ballet by students of Miss Gwen O'Mahoney's Wright School of Dancing; “The Dear Little Shamrock” (Villa Maria pupils); “The Kerry Dance” and “God Save Ireland,” by the Sacret Heart Convent choir; an operatic ballet by pupils of Mia* M. Swann; a hornpipe by Miss Joan Peters and an Irish jig by Miss Patricia Davis.

The concert was brought to a conclusion by an amusing one-act play, “The Waiting Game," produced by Miss Victorine Ruscoe and presented by the St. Mary's Repertory Theatre. The cast was as follow: David Linford (Mr. J. Gallagher), Ruth Milverton (Miss M. O'Malley), Martha (Miss M. Cahill), J. Ashfield (Mr. J. Barry), Mr. Teakle (Mr. J. Gordon), Mr. Wibshott (Mr. E. Crutchley), and the Gipsy (Miss M. Robinson).