The Lacre Concert.
Page 16
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The First of the Series Characterized as "The Best Show in Letchworth for Many a Long Day." The Lacre Co.'s Enthusiastic Support.
The first of the series of concerts to be promoted by THE COMMERCIAL MOTOR Campaign Comforts Fund for the A.S.C., M.T., both the direct and indirect proceeds of which, of course, are to be devoted to the service of the Fund, and which took place at Fixmore Hall, Letchworth, on Saturday last, was a brilliant success. The audience avowed that they did not recollect ever having seen so good a show at Letchworth. The artistes seemed thoroughly pleased with themselves ; to such an extent was this so, that their gaiety became infectious increasing to no small ex
tent the effect of their infectious, business. The attend-. mice, notwithstanding the fact that the night was a wretched one and, further, unfortunately, that the concert happened to coincide with the accidental visit of a wandering " Wild West" show, was remarkably good, "standing room only" being the rule some little One before the entertainment commenced. As a result, the receipts, we are informed, are a record for the hall. All those responsible, consequently, have every right to the many congratulations which have been tendered upon the success of this initial effort.
From start to finish everything went like clockwork. The whole entertainment was presented in an original manner, for which the capable musical director, Miss May Windsor, was solely responsible, and she is to be congratulated upon its striking success. The singing of Auld Lang Syne " behind the curtain as a prologue struck just the right note, and reminded all those present that they were to assist to remember men so far away, as well as to enjoy their own evening. This novel commencement immediately made it evident that the concert was to be something quite out of the ordinary run of such events.
The first number—a quartette entitled " Pierrot Land "—helped considerably to increase that impression, and the second item on the programme, " A Lesson in Singing," in which a well-known humorous song was taken as the theme and parodied in various styles of singing, clinched the matter. Everyone then seemed to settle down for a good time. Encores after that were the rule, and distinctions as between one number and another, or between one artiste or another, are impossible. The audience made none, nor can we. Let it be said that the choice of the Fund in artistes has already more than been justified ; these included Miss Florence West., Miss May Windsor, Mr. Randell Jackson, Mr. Will Edwards, Mr. Chass Lewis. Mr. Fred Wildon, and Mr. Cyril Weller. The 15-minute descriptive story by our Editor of "The work of the A.S.C., M.T.," with its lantern-slide accompaniment was well received.
Commencing promptly at 7.30, and proceeding without intermission until the interval, during which z50 Mr. G. W. Watson threw on the screen a number of slides illustrating the work of the Fund, and afterwards again continuously until 10.30, when the entertainment was concluded in the usual manner by the singing of " God Save the King." As a matter of fact, the three hours' entertainment seemed all too brief ; everyone appeared quite willing for more, but, unfortunately, train and tram times, especially at Letchworth, are uninfluenced by personal considerations.
This excellent result is due to the efforts of, amongst others, the members of the Works Committee, Miss Kime, Messrs. H. G. Wilkins, B. H. Skinner, J. Drewry, H. Macdonald, and to Mr. H. Shelvoke, the company's works manager, all of whom were most whole hearted in their aid. The Lucre Company itself, besides assisting in many other ways, placed one of its lorries at our disposal for the removal and transport of baggage. By the way, this machine apparently has to work all day long carrying anything that needs to be carried while fitted with a false bottom made up of 56 lb. weights. If all the Lacre machines spend their days of trial in this manner, the reason for their good reputation becomes obvious. Thanks are also due to Commercial Cars Ltd., of Luton, which company kindly lent a bus to enable the majority of the artistes and several of the staff to get home by train from Hitchin and Luton.
We should like to take this opportunity of expressing our appreciation to the managing director of the Spirella Co. of Great Britain' Ltd., of Letchworth, who, whilst much regretting his inability to loan to the Fund the beautiful recreation ball which his company erected for the benefit of his employees, and which is as yet refused a licence by the local authorities on a purely technical ground, forwarded us a handsome contribution to be devoted to this new "concerted effort."
As we go to press gratifying messages are reaching us. From these we only have space to quote the following :— "To repeat the whole chorus of praise of Saturday
evening's concert is impossible. Finest concert ever held in Letchworth,' I never enjoyed anything so much in my life,' are the main themes. Artistes are all absolutely tip-top. Objects of Fund are the best imaginable.—Laerc Motor Car Co., Ltd., H. Shelvoke, Manager."
And again :— " Hearty congratulations. A good thought excel-. lently carried out. The show was good from beginning to end. Best wishes for the remainder of the series.—Phcenix Motors, Ltd,, J. Van Hooydonk, Joint Managing Director."