FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1468, 13 June 1918, Page 34

FISK JUBILEE SINGERS.

That there’s something in a name was proved by the packed house that greeted the Fisk Jubilee Singers when they opened their season in the Town Hall Concert Chamber on Saturday night. There is a particular appeal attached to plantation songs and negro melodies, and the members of the celebrated Fisk organisation have familiarised us on previous visits with the beauty of their harmonising in their own special type of music. The company shine in jubilee chorus singing, into which they enter with such fervour that they infuse their spirit into the audience. Grouped around the harmonium, at which Professor White presided, they opened proceedings with the old devotional favourite “Steal Away” and the “Lord’s Prayer,” amongst other popular choruses in which they exhibited their quaint characteristics and enraptured the audience being “Medley of Popular Airs,” “Good News,” an excerpt from “11 Trovatore,” “He Moves,” “My Lord Delivered Daniel,” “Hard Trials,” “I’m A-rolling Thro’ an Unfriendly World,” and “Hear Dem Bells,” all of which were enthusiastically encored. The individual numbers, too, were most cordially re-

ceived. Miss Leila Wyburd, the soprano, gave an artistic rendering of the “Valse Song” from “Romeo and Juliet,” and responded to an insistent encore with “The Dear Little Shamrock.” Miss Claire Solly, who possesses a rich contralto, was heard to good effect in “My Dear Soul,” and had to pacify her hearers with “Mother Machree.” Mr. Marshall Palmer, with a sympathetic baritone voice, gave exceeding pleasure by his singing of “The Song of the Anvil,” “Anzacs,” and “Song of the Desert.” Mr. Harold Wilson found expression for his deep bass voice in “A Hundred Fathoms Deep” and “Down in the Cornfields.” Mr. Sid Haines was a ready favourite with all, and in solos and ensembles was noted for his vimful and whole-hearted work. Mr. Huntley Spencer received a double encore after his singing of “Give Me Your Smile,” and Mr. Les Belcher’s tenor voice was well liked in “My Pretty Jane.” Miss Bertha Millar had a great reception for her fervent rendering of. “Maggie,” which she followed up with a breezy ragtime number, and further enlivened proceedings with the able assistance of Mr. Sid. Haines in the “Bumble Bee.” Professor' White proved a tower of as accompanist and also figured in a humorous male quartette, “Bingo/’ and in a couple of encore numbers. The Singers conclude their Auckland season on Wednesday, June 19, thence visiting Hamilton (June 20 and 21) and Rotorua (June 22 and 24).

Their Excellencies, the GovernorGeneral and the Countess of Liverpool, who are at present in residence at Government House, have signified to Mr. G. S. Douglas-Macaul their intention of attending the Fisk Jubiiee Singers’ Concert this week. During the Wellington season their Excellencies were present several times.

Madame Melba spent a couple of days in Auckland on her return to Australia after a visit to America. On Tuesday night the diva had a box at His Majesty’s Theatre for “Dick Whittington.”

Miss Margaret Wycherley, the original exponent of the leading role in “The Thirteenth Chair,” is making a brief stay in Auckland on her way to Australia under engagement to J. C. Williamson, Ltd. MissWycherley is the wife of Bayard Veiller, the author of the play.

The principal boy of a pantomime must be specially blest of the gods before she can pass the critical eye of an exacting audience. Beauty of form is the 'first desideratum, beauty of face and voice follow in less severe demands. Pantomime goers are unanimous in agreeing that Miss Vera Pearce fills all requirements to perfection. As Queen of the Tivoli Follies Miss Pearce has made a couple of visits to New Zealand, impressing herself most favourably everywhere with her ability and untiring energy. This same vim characterises her work in “Dick Whittington,” and is one of the factors that has helped the young Australian gir] to her latest successful achievement in pantomime.

Jack Waller and his “Look Who’s Here” company will commence another tour of the Dominion on June 22, opening in Auckland at His Majesty’s Theatre. Since his return to Australia Mr. Waller has been on the search for novelties, and he promises to unload plenty of good things on this trip. The Auckland season will extend over seven nights, after which the following towns will be visited: —Gisborne, July 3-6; Wellington, July 10-24; Wanganui, July 2526; Stratford, July 27; Hawera, July 29; Palmerston North, July 30-31; Dannevirke August 1; Hastings, August 2; Napier, August 3-5; Pahiatua, August 6; Masterton, August 7; Christchurch, August 10-21; Ashburton, August 22; Timaru. August 23; Dunedin, August 24-28; Invercargill, August 29-30.