SUCCESS OF THE TE KOAS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1524, 10 July 1919, Page 32

SUCCESS OF THE TE KOAS.

Mr. Owen Pritchard is to be congratulated on the achievements of the Te Koas, the soldier concert party, who have been repeating to large audiences at the Town Hall for the past six nights the entertainment which was in such popular vogue with their fellow “diggers” at the front. Apart from the appeal that the troupe themselves would exert through being soldiers, the show they put on made an emphatic appeal on its own merits, and from the opening chorus and Maori war cry to the final sketch it went with a swing and vim worthy of any professional attempt. There was a packed and enthusiastic audience on Wednesday night, and interest was maintained at top pressure at each performance. Mr. Herb. Richards proved a tenor of excellent calibre, his powerful rendering of “The Pagan” calling forth an insistent recall, and he responded with “Keep on Hopin’,” the optimism of which was aptly expressed. > Mr. Stan. Pritchard, the possessor of an uncommonly good baritone voice, used it to masterly effect in “The Aviator,” and being vigorously encored gave “The Blind Ploughman.” With Mr. Richards he was associated in one of the outstanding vocal successes of the evening, “Watchman, What of the Night!” enthusiastic applause bringing them back to sing “The Moon Hath Raised.” Mr. Les Walton, an elocutionist of high attainments, aroused the audience to admiration

with his dramatic delivery of “The Aristocrat,” declaiming the wrongs of a French peasant, while in clever contrast was his amusing recital of “The Play,” from C. J. Dennis’ “Sentimental Bloke.” Mr. Wally Edwards made a distinctly good-looking soubrette, and his song “Sergeant Brown” met with generous approval. Miss Tui Hillyer, an Auckland soprano, supplied the note of femininity for the “merry men,” and her artistically sung numbers “Night of Romance” and “If You Could Care” were pleasing in the extreme. The life and soul of the party was Mr. Owen Pritchard, who as director and organiser, vocalist and comedian, saw that there was no weak link in the chain of mirth and melody. His “Ballads in Ragtime” was a big hit, and he made another score in “Whoops,” besides establishing a ready air of camaraderie with those in front by his spontaneous work in the various up-to-date burlesques and ensembles. Mr. Len. Elliott was an efficient accompanist, co-operating cheerfully with the performers. A novel little sketch “Where Did That One Go” concluded the entertainment, Messrs. Owen Pritchard, Keith Firth, Les Walton, W. Edwards as the representative soldiers provoking much merriment with their respect-

ive sallies and a song and dance thrown in just at the right moment. Merry men the Te Koas certainly proved to be.