OPERATIC SOCIETY

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20844, 30 June 1939, Page 10

OPERATIC SOCIETY

CONCERT IN HAMILTON A VARIED PROGRAMME The Hamilton Operatic Society commenced operations for the season with a concert in the Theatre Royal last night, when it was assisted by performers from Auckland. Unfortunately the audience was not as large as had been hoped. The programme, though too long and marred by the free use of the microphone —which is quite unecessary in theatres of the size of those in New Zealand and tends to reveal blemishes which might otherwise pass unnoticed —was varied. Incidentally it proved again, as has been shown in the past, that Waikato performers can more than hold their own with importations from, outside; the items given by the local people were of a much higher standard than those presented, by the Auckland visitors.

The violin solos, “Jota” (Manuel de Falla) and a Hungarian dance by Brahms, were played delightfully by Mrs Hedy Biland, a gifted player, and gave keen pleasure. Mr Bob Harris proved himself a very clever magician, making things disappear and reappear in bewildering fashion. Miss Roie Docherty gave clever tap dances, and songs were given by Master T. McDermott, “The Lass with The Delicate Air”: Mr Joseph Crawford. "Onaway, Awake, Beloved” (from “Hiawatha”) and “To Anthea”; Miss Marie Leech and Mr Rex Walden, “Will You Remember ?”

The Hamilton Playbox created much merriment with the one-act melodrama by A. A. Milne, “The Man in the Bowler Hat,” the cast including Mesdarnes S. Walker and C. Linder, Messrs 1). Reid, B. Ross, W. Blakeway and W. Fisher.

The Auckland performers provided the second part of the programme. Mr Fred Baird revealed a very sweet tenor voice in “Caroline” and “The Trumpeter,” and Miss Pat Boyle crooned melodiously. Items were also given by Mr and Mrs Dudley Wrathall, Mr John Gordon and Mr Des Lock. Unfortunately. some of the sketches showed signs of not having been rehearsed sufficiently, and the sight of a comedian speaking all his lines into the microphone instead of to the person with whom he was supposed to be working on the stage spoiled all iilu-

Sympathetic accompaniments were provided by Miss Ailsa Docherty, Mr Stanley James and Mr W. Harrison.