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and Keegan was a well chosen Alfie. Burgess and Ryder attempted a song after the Weston Brothers, and even though it was a long way, still they were after them. The last sketch of the evening was almost the best that we have had this season. The atmosphere of a weird house was excellently caught, thanks to a very promising performance by Hobbs. It was Hobbs who created the impression of the uncanny, the effect of which was increased by the sinister appearance and manner of Moores. If Moores had been more certain of his part, the suspense would have been well sustained. As it was, St. Thomas's went to bed thoroughly spookridden.
Milner House began with the fine Chorus, " Let's All Go Down the Strand " to prepare the way for the sketch, " The Shoe Shop," a sketch with many amusing situations, but which ought to have been played with much more restraint. Snell's violin solo was not his best performance. We then heard the words and some of the tune (or was it the other way round ?) of the " Star Spangled Banner." McGovern sang " I'll Walk Beside You " very nicely, and was recalled to give another song from his repertoire. The Mayor of Little Dripping found his matter rather congealed. The Programme was
1. Chorus, " Let's All Go Down the Strand " 2. Sketch, " The Shoe Shop "
3. Violin solo, Humoresque (Dvorak) A. SNELL.
4.
j.
6. Sketch, " The Post Office "
7. Song, " I'll Walk Beside You'
J. McGovERN.
8. Speech by the Mayor of Little Dripping over
Tanning
9. Chorus, " All Pals Together "
" Radio Cotton No. 2," a second in the series of the Two-Men Concerts by Dusting and Lyons, was every bit as good as the show last year. Again there was great ingenuity, and a number of good ideas well worked out. The opening sketch was successful, mainly because details of " business" had been carefully worked out beforehand, and
were well timed. Dusting was particularly good in this, showing unusual control over a punch ball, while Collins' attempts to dispose of unwanted water were thoroughly amusing. Later they sang a number of the well-known Flanagan and Allen ducts in professional style. In their studio sketch, McGovern as a cleaner " stole the picture " until Collins produced his masterpiece, a brilliant impression of Maui-ice Chevalier. He is the fortunate possessor of an unusually good French accent, and in this impression he made. full use of it. As last year we must award these two performers pride of place in the year's Sunday night Concerts.
St. Thomas's followed with their Concert on March 15th and again we had excellent entertainment. The programme will be found elsewhere. From the spirited opening chorus, " The Soldiers of the King " to the lovely " Lass of Richmond Hill" at the end, the audience sat back and enjoyed themselves. The piano duettists (or should one say dualists ?) failed occasionally to make contact with one another, but were given a second chance to put that right. Lees sang Schubert's " Hark, Hark the Lark " and a Lullaby by Mozart beautifully. If lie could dispense with that piece of paper with the words of the song on it, he would sing even better. The choral singing had a finish rarely seen in these Concerts. The sketches were also well done, the Mad Hatter's Tea Party being an ideal medium for the talent of St. Thomas's, while the much appreciated hattrick performed by Edkins Minor in the second sketch did not take away from the excellent production. All were good, though perhaps one may mention Coady's clever character study as outstanding.
The season ended with a Concert of popular music organised by Snell. The Orchestra made a belated appearance, and distinguished themselves. Considering their handicaps, they performed more than creditably. Snell himself played better than he has yet done, the marked improvement in his bowing being particularly noticeable. McGovern sang with his now accustomed ease, though he should be on his guard against slurring his notes. It was good to hear Lees and Gasparelli again. One could not help regretting the solemnity with which Music
Sketch, " In the Dentist's Waiting-room " Chorus, " The Star Spangled Banner "