"A RUNAWAY GIRL"

Waikato Times, Volume 100, Issue 16834, 28 June 1926, Page 8

"A RUNAWAY GIRL"

CLOSE OF SUCCESSFUL SEASON.

SCENES OF GREAT ENTHUSIASM

Amid a scene of enthusiasm such as is rarely witnessed in Hamilton, Ihe Hamilton Operatic Society's successful season of five nights with "A Runaway Girl" was broughl lo a close at Ihe Theatre Royal on Saturday night. The. theatre was Crowded, and right from the beginning of Ihe performance enthusiasm ran high. Principals, chorus, ballel, orchestra, gave or Ihe.'r besl, and I hose people whose work is just as important, though Ihey may not he seen, also laboured diligently, with the result that Ihe performance went wilh an exhilarating r.ving, and the delighted audience, enjoying every minute of il, applauded wildly. The general opinion was that it was one of Ihe mosl successful productions ever witnessed in Hamilton. At Ihe finish there was a scene of remarkable enthusiasm. After that gay finale in which, to the strains of

" Oh, Listen to the Rand," the. slage becomes an inspiriting scene of life and colour, streamers were thrown from slage to audience, and the lady performers were deluged wilh floral tributes and boxes of chocolates, while the audience showed its appreciation by prolonged applause. There was an especially loud outburst when Mrs Tabor-Gregory was handed a huge box of chocolates, almost as high as herself, from the girls of the ballet. The men, 100, were not forgotten, though their tributes were of- a more prosaic (but probably equally acceptable!) nature, such as bottles of wine. The comedians, to Ihe delight of the crowd, received artistically-arranged posies of vegetables. II was a gay scene; everyone was happy and showed if.

Then there were loud cries of "Producer! Producer!" and when Mr A. E. Manning made his appearance on the slage he was greeted with cheers and the singing of "He's a .tolly Good Fellow." In acknowledging Ihe tribule, Mr Manning spoke of the enthusiasm of the members of Ihe Society, (he co-operation of his colleagues, and the support of the people or Hamilton and district. The members had. lo use the professional term, "put Ihe show across," and he was a very proud man. More cheers, more fun, and then Ihe singing of the National Anthem rang the curtain down on Ihe Hamilton Operatic Society's greatest achievement lo dale. Jt was a filling finale lo a great season.

AFTER THE SHOW.

SUPPER AND PRESENTATIONS. A happy gathering look place "hack slage." nfler Ihe performance on Saturday night, when ihe members gathered for supper and an hour of social intercourse.

After full justice had been done lo the good ihings provided several presentations were made, Mr Manning, on behalf or the members, expressed appreciation of the services rendered by Mrs 11. C. Ross, and asked her lo accept a pair of silver vases as a slight token of appreciation. No one, lie said, had worked harder than Mrs Ross. Mrs Tabor-Gregory was then asked to step forward'and receive a silver salad bowl. Much of the success of the production, said Mr Manning, was due to Mrs Gregory, who was"responsible for the ballels and many of those incidental bits which meant so much. He offered her his sinceresl thanks.

Mrs ,1. Denz was presented with a silver cake dish. She had stood by Ihe Society for years, and had done wonrierful work as wardrobe mistress.

"And," added the speaker amid laughter and applause, "she has given us Gladys."

A tribute was then paid lo "the I man behind the gun," Mr 11. 0. Ross, who had looked after Ihe back of the stage so well. He was asked to acccpl a pair of gold sleeve-links. The secretary, Mr W. Clavis, who carried out his executive'work so well, besides giving a good performance as, Mr Creel, was given a fountain pen, and appreciative reference made to his services.

Mr Manning, paying a warn tribute to the conductor, Mr Harold Piper, said he had worked with many conductors, but never wilh one for whom he had a greater respect and admiration. Mr Piper had filled a very difficult position, and had got through without any trouble. They all appreciated his excellent work.

Mr Boss paid a warm tribute lo Ihe producer. Without Mr Manning, he said, the Society would he lost. The members appreciated Ihe great work Mr .Manning had done, and asked |,j m lo accept a smoker's companion, as a slight ineinenlo of Ihe happy lime Ihey had spent together. The work id' .Mr Meg. Sherson in providing Ihe lighlmg effects was generally acknowledged. This played an important pari in Ihe arlislh; success ol' Ihe production and .Mr Sherson deserves Ihe thanks of Ihe Society. Mr \V. Jordan, in banding Mr \\\ Utythe two boxes of cigars, said Ihey all recognised Ihe great work Ihe stage manager had done. He had had an important duty to perform, and he had done it well. Mr Blylho had always been al. his posl. and the members appreciated his helpfulness and loyally. All the presentations were suitably acknowledged and were followed by cheers for Ihe recipients and tin- sing ing of " They are Jolly Good Fellows."

Mr G. Armstrong said as an old playgoer, who had seen Ihe original pro- I duction of "A Runaway Girl," lie ! would like lo congratulate Ihe So- j ciely upon Ihe excellent production. | "A Runaway Girl" was an exceedingly "thin" play, and the manner in which I it had been put across spoke volumes ' for the Society. (in behalf or ihe ! public he called for three cheers for I Ihe Hamilton Operatic Society. : These were heartily given, and so, just on Ihe stroke of midnight, ended ; a season which made theatrical his- ' lory. j