Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
16 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
- FISHING AND WRESTLING.
FISHING AND WRESTLING. TWO FUNNY STORIES BY HARRY LAUDER (The Great Scottish Comedian). The average Scot up North does not really know what Boxing Night is, and I'm safe to say that very few out of every dozen could fceJl you what particular night of the year is re.ferred to by the designation. To tell you the truth. I didn't know myself until I came up to England to spend the money I earned in Scotland! (What's that, Harry? Ah, we see; it's just your little joke.—ED.) Even now Boxing Night holds no special significance for me. I only know it is "the night the pantomimes open." The first pantomime in which I took part was produced at the Theatre Royal, Glasgow, and it began early in December. In Eng- land, however, the general opening evening is the day before Christmas, and for the pur- poses of this wee article I will tell you an amusing experience I had at Newcastle three years ago. when playing Rab McGuffin in "Cinderella." Of course, first nights have a habit of turning out slightly contrary to the "boot —sometimes for the best, frequently for the worst. Well, in this particular pantomime the bold, bad. impecunious Baron (played by a comedian of the name of Richardson) was supposed to go fishing in the first act, in order to provide a meal for the Prince, expected at the Baronial Hall that evening. Rab McGuffin," the Baron's page (myself), was supposed to come on the scene and shew the Baron how it was done, because the Baron was a very poor fisherman, and couldn't even catci. a, train. We had the whole incident nicely arranged. and at the dress rehearsal everything had gone well. The property man behind the hedge at the waterside had a fine supply of stage-fish all ready to hook on to my line whenever I "cast" it. Here's boo to catch fush. sir I yelled, »3 I dipped the line and almost instantly pulled up a monster trout." But the trout was nHleh bigger than the ones we had been using at rehearsal; the line broke, and the fish fell back with a dull, hollow thud—not at all the sound that a huge fish would make falling plump into a stream. The audience tittered, and the fish-catching joke seemed like going exceedingly flat. But I managed to pass it off by remarking: We've lost that yin, Baron. By jings it was a thumper We'll hae anither "try 9, So I patched up the line as fast as I could and "dipped" again. Fortunately, the property man put on a very smaJ! one. and the line stood the strain all right, but I had been expecting another monster, and gave the rod and line such a jerk that the" fish walloped out round my head and hit Richardson a terrible thump on the jaw. The audience screamed with laughter, and so did I. But the Baron didn't. He said things-- ON, his breath All through the run of the pantomime my fish-catching ex- ploits never raised such a yell of merriment as they did that opening Boxing Night. Now that I come to write of this incident another little adventure of the same evening comes baok to me. My friend Dan Crawley played Widow Twankev in that pantomime, and after the first performance Dan and I walked round to our lodgings together. Somehow the conver- sation got oh to wrestling, and Dan jocularly said he would like to wrestle me for my week's salary—something over a fiver! I was in a sportive frame of mind—I don't mean what you think, dear reader !-and in- stantly seized Dan round the waist just for fun. Dan, however, thought I was going to put the half-nelson on him, and just as promptly closed with me. Both bursting with laughter we went at it, forgetting for the moment that the snow was lying inches deep, and we neither of us came to our proper senses until we found ourselves rolling over and over in the snow. "Here, Dan!" said I, wriggling clear, we'll call it a draw—my lugs are fou' o' snawba's All through the run of the pantomime, on the stage and off it, Dan and I were always saying to each other, "I'll wrestle you for your week's wages
ROGUES AND VAGABONDS.
ROGUES AND VAGABONDS. By WILKIE BARD (Drury Lane's Favourite Pantomime Comedian). Dear reader, supposing you were a member of the theatrical profession, would' you feel honoured to be classed amongst the members of the thieving fraternity? Try to imagine my feelings when, having to appear at sl ort notice at a theatre usually devoted to drama, I found that the printers had somehow mixed up the bill matter, with the result that every wall and hoarding was posted up with the announcement The —— Theatre This Week 'Rogues and Vagabonds Wilkie Bard and Nellie Stratton But that did not affect me nearly so much as a rebuff I received during a visit to a Yorkshire town. It was a Christmas engage- ment, and the management made quite a splash about it. He is coming Who is coming ? Wilkie Bard ran the announce- ments in big type. Later came further infor- mation to the effect that He will arrive to- morrow," and finally "He has arrived It was a great advertising effort. For a full week prior to my opening there was only Wilkie Bard in the town—so far as the hoard- ings were concerned. Whether this booming raised the hopes of the locals to an unattain- able pitch or acted as a damper on my efforts on Boxing Night, the opening night, I cannot say. Perhaps the responsibility got me down, but any way the opening show was a dismal failure. I couldn't raise a gallop," as they say in the sporting classics. I felt very dis- consolate at the interval, and as the weather was cold I threw on a dressing-gown and made my way to a cheerful-looking fire. My presence attracted the attention of two youth- ful Tykes, who came up and eyed me curi- ously." Is thy name Wilkie Bard ? one of them inquired. I had no evidence to the contrary, so I ad- mitted the damaging fact. The gentle youth looked me over again for a moment. Then lie scl,i(-[ Well, tha' t' silliest chap aw ivver seed i' mi life." With that he passed on his way comforted, and left me to reflect.
THE LANDLADIES—BLESS'EM!
THE LANDLADIES—BLESS'EM! By GEORGE ROBEY (A Comedian with a World-wide Reputation). I uerer met any class of women who can talfc itize landladies, Tiley seem to take a de- light in "telling the tale," usually choosing meal-times for their oration. I had arrived on Christmas Eve in a large city, and I was warned against a particular landlady. Fellow- artists said she talked about her troubles from morning until bed-time without ceasing. I went to the house prepared to deal gently with her. I saw very little of her on Christ- Saas Day, but on Boxing Day I was anxious to rest before the first night of the pantomime. She severely taxed my patience with her re- peated silly questions, and all the time I could see she was dying to tell me the tale of woe." I went to my bedroom about five o'clock and asked her to bring me up some hot water. In a short time she knocked on the door, and I shouted "Come in." She crossed the threshold, and there was I con- fronting her, looking wild, with my hair all ruffled, and holding an open razor in my right hand. She appeared to be very frightened, but I calmed her and directed her to sit on a chair. Then I commenced And how are you, Mrs. W-J this after- noon? Well, I might be better, but-" "%Hold!, I cried. "Have you had any trouble? Oh, since my husband died things How long has your husband been dead? Three years. Yes, it was very- I stopped shaving and held up my hand, still holding the razor. Talk about, melo- drama You should have seen her face. But I hastened to assure her that a tragedy was not imminent. Mv good lady," I said, "it is now a quarter-past, and I can give you fifteen minutes. If you want to tell me about your troubles waste no time. If you speak to me about them after that time——' Ye gods and little fishes She rushed from the room, and I believe I paid her extra for being very brief in speech during the week.
WERE WE AFRAID ? RATHER I
WERE WE AFRAID ? RATHER I By MISS ADA REEVE The Famous Musical Comedy and Pantomime "Star"). We had vowed that we were not afraid of a mouse; we had heard stories about a mouse, we had dreamt about a mouse. We were ladies. Would we run or shriek at the sinhtof a poor innocent and harmless little mouse? Certainly not. How absurd! But apparently we had forgotten the old adage, Don't count vOur chickens before they are hatched." We had not rehearsed with a real live mouse. I was taking a pro- minent part in a piece on Boxing Night several years ago, and in one scene, where I ap- peared as a schoolmistress, I had a class of girls behind me. The idea was that, instead of receiving medals and certificates lor good conduct my scholars were each awarded a new frill on their petticoats. The girls were supposed to be trained to such an extent that they were not even afraid of a mouse. But on this occasion the mouse actually did run across the stage near the footlights, and the girls, forgetting their vows, juinped on the forms, chairs, and desks, and to any place of safety nearest at hand. Of course, the s, audience did not understand it, though it was a huge joke for us. But, to tell the truth, a cry of "Fire!" could not have alarmed us more.
-----ON AND OFF THE STAGE.
ON AND OFF THE STAGE. By MISS HETTY KING (The Popular Male Impersonator). I have had many exciting adventures in the pursuit of my favourite recreation, motoring, but none so memorable as that which oc- curred a few years ago in travelling from Hull to Manchester. I was accompanied by my husband, and we were particularly anxious to enjoy the novelty of a midnight run, intending to reach our destination on December 27th in the early morning. We had not been long on the road before a terrific rainstorm commenced. The chauffeur gallantly drove us against the wind and rain but on several occasions he was forced to pull up, for the elements proved to be stronger than the mechanical power of the car. The most exciting period of the journey was when we arrived at Hebden Bridge. Huge hills were on each side of the roadway, and down the sides water was coming m torrents. To make matters worse, the river on. one side of the road had overflowed its banks. A long stretch of water confronted us, ?,nd crowded together at each end were the inhabitants of the houses in the vicinity, who had been driven from their homes by the ravages of the storm. We pulled up on the fringe of the water, and learnt that many of the people were wait- ing for the country 'bus to take them over to the other side. Then the question arose: Was it safe to take either a motor-car or a 'bus through the stream? A smaller car than mine arrived on the scene, and the occupants did not hesitate long before commencing their trip through the water. When we saw them safely across on the other side we followed in their track. We had got half-way across when suddenly a big telegraph pole came crashing down into the water within three jfirds of the front of our car. The water splashed up all over the motor, and when we emerged the chauffeur and the outside of the car were covered with mud which had been thrown up. The crowd cheered us when we were safely landed at the other side, but there was a groan of disappointment when it was discovered that the 'bus, which was following us, had got stuck in the middle of the stream. After a strenuous struggle the horses managed to drag the vehicle out of the mud, and when we saw things were righted we were delighted to resume our journey and seek a comforting fire and a good meal. An amusing incident which often makes me smile when I think of it occurred on Boxing Night whilst I was playing Dick Whitting- ton," in a provincial pantomime. At this particular performance, when I walked in front of the footlights with a basin in my hand, calling out Come on, pussy," 1 was surprised to find, on turning round, that a real cat had followed me on the stage. It be- longed to the property-master and knew me well, for during the rehearsal I had patted and fed it. Not wishing to make a disturb- ance by driving the animal away, I addressed it as Dick Whittington does the conventional pantomime creature, saying; "They have turned us out of London, pussy," the cat promptly shewing its sympathy by mewing— an action which "brought down the house."
THE WOULD-BE BRIDEGROOM
THE WOULD-BE BRIDEGROOM By G. B. ELLIOTT (The Famous Chocolate-Coloured Vaudeville "Star "). It is rather a singular coincidence that two of the most exciting exnerienees of mv career nave happened on .Boxing iNights. A tew years ago I was appearing at a -London suburban hall when, during the interval, a note was handed to me in my dressing-room, and in it the writer poured forth a pitiful tale of woe, finally making an extraordinary ap- peal for pecuniary assistance. He said he was madly in love with a certain girl, and he wanted me to lend him money to enable him to marry. Not knowing the man, and not beir. anxious to test the accuracy of his story, he did not, needless to say, receive a satisfactory reply, and I declined to see him personally. Upon leaving the stage door at the close of the performance a smartly-dressed, dapper little man took me by the arm and said that he was the man who had sent me the letter, and lie threatened to take my life if I did not comply with his request. I made no reply, but hailed a hansom and quickly disappeared. Twelve months later, also on Boxing Night, I was performing in Hull when the stage-door man came to my dressing-room and asked if 1 would require a cab to take me and my mother —my mother travelled with me at that tiriif, home. I told him Yes." When we got out- side the rain was pouring down in torrents and the cabby hustled his hor9 along at a smart trot, but we soon discovered that h. was not going in the direction of our apart- ments. We had arrived in a quiet secluded road when I called out and asked him where tie was going. He made no reply, hut jumped down from his box, and coming to the window of the con- veyance he looked me straight in the face and said, "You and I have met before, Mr. Elliott. You are quite two miles away from your apartments, and I want a sovereign off you." Where had I seen the man before? Slid- denly I recollected he was the sporty little in- dividual who twelve months previously had wanted me to provide funds to enable him to marry. He did not offer any resistance when I opened the door and conducted my mother into the roadway. I declined to give him a penny piece, and proceeded to walft away. He was becoming very threatening again when, to my intense relief, I saw a policeman approaching. "Now," I said, "I intend to give you in charge." His subsequent conduct gave suffi- cient evidence that bravado is very cheap, for he broke down and sobbed like a child. lie appealed to me to forgive him, and he would not molest me again. I let him go. He jumped on his box and drove off quicker than he had come. My mother and I walked about for ten minutes before we found another conveyance, and we were glad to get home. I have not seen that troublesome would-be bridegroom, bully, and cabby since.
I.A FEW EXPERIENCES.
A FEW EXPERIENCES. By ERNEST SHAND (One of Our Foremost Entertainers). I can recall a good many interesting Box- ing Night experiences that have occurred dur- ing the twenty-four pantomimes in which I have appeared. My three first pantomimes were with a travelling company playing in two or threB towns a-week, and I was in receipt of the handsome remuneration of 35s. a week. In one of these productions I arranged a knock- about scene with a friend. We had seen some- thing of the kind before, but did not know anything about it. The idea was that we first erected a tent, with four poles and canvas. There were the usual bangs wih the poles but,unfortunately, I gave my partner real bangs, and very nearly put him to sleep before we got fairly started. However, he next had to hold up a ladder while I walked up it. lIe was supposed to let go and walk away. causing me to fall, '71 with the ladder. Unfortunately, lie omitted to get. away, with the result that the ladder and I Tell on top of him. Then a chair broke when we were seated on the back, and nearly placed us both hors de combat. At the finish we went up in a balloon, but the rone broke, and-we were eventually col- lected taken off the stage in several basket ( ids. I was glad that that particular scene was only performed on Boxing Night. Another experience had equally disastrous results. The pantomime was at Tluddersfield, and I was arranging to fall down what is known as the "grave trap,' which is onlynbout a couple of feet below the stage. Just before the curtain went up my wife came running up to me to complain about her dress. She failed to see the open trap, and fell right down] 2ft. Soon afterwards I walked on the stage for my entrance, and discovered that the trap was still at the bottom, so I fell 12ft. also. Of course, next day my wife and I were walking about, like two damaged pieces of table-jelly.
-_..------" G RI ML IA ''…
G RI ML IA AND THE BE A R. A DAN LENO STORY. By GEORGE LASHWOOD (The Beau Brummel of the Variety Stage). In the less palmy days of the music-hall profession, and before either of us had im- pressed managers as being stars of even the smallest magnitude, my dear old friend the late Dan Leiio and I had many hard experi- ences. A Merry Christmas to you is a saluta- tion which never fails to bring back an early memory of Christmas and the Midlands—a menjiory which is as indelible as the marks of time. Christmas Day the year I speak of fell on a Saturday, and the Friday preceding found me and Dan quartered in a little public-house in Stafford in company with a then well- known character of the road whose real name I believe was Bob Griggs, but who never in my hearing received any other appellation than Grizzly "—a nickname which did not depend for its aptness so much on the appear- a.nce of the owner as on the fact that he was accompanied everywhere on his travels by a huge bear. Well, on the Friday in question Dan and I spent the evening in conversation with Grizzly, and finding that he intended start- ing for Birmingham the following morning (the very place we were bound for to fulfil an encasement beginning on the Monday—Bank Holiday) we postponed our departure, not re- lishing the idea-of tramping down in company with the bear. In the morning, accordingly, Grizzlv and his awkward companion started off, and Dan and I filled in the day as best we could. In the night a heavy fall of snow commenced. When we started the twenty-eight-mile tramp it was with heavy hearts, empty pockets, and dreary prospects. It must have been after five o'clock when we arrived at a lane branching off the main road, on the outskirts of Wolverhampton. At the top we espied a light, and hunger im- pelled us in the direction of the welcoming beacon. Arrived at the house, we pushed open the gate and walked up the path leading to a side window. We both reached the sill together both took in the fact that it was a dining- room, and that the table, fully set, held a nicelv-cooked goose with the usual accessories before the fact, not forgetting a bountiful supply of wine; both saw that there was but one man seated at the table and both started back gasping for breath as we recognised that one man as Grizzly." Dan rapped on the glass, and cried. Grizzly! I saw Grizzly leap to his feet, look sur- prised for a moment, then rush for the door, and in less time than it takes to write it we were all three in that cosy room. We plied Grizzly with questions, How? What? When? Where? But to all he replied, in his usual cultured manner (jrentienien, lie sear-eu, verythjng of mine here is yours, and I trust you will not spare the good things which the gods have given us." Needless to sav, we did not wait for any further invitation, hut sampled everything on the table, and ollly left off when the limita- tions of nature compelled us. Grizzly" was comfortably seated puffing at a huge cigar when we left him, and Dan and I expressed surprise at having found him in such an up-to-date and respectable home. ) From that Boxing Day to the present time I have never laid eyes on Grizzly; but one 'day, some six weeks after the incident I have related, I asked an old showman who had been on the road for many years what had become of the famous individual in question, and he cried "What, Grizzly! Didn't you hear? Ha, ha, ha! Look here," and, opening a greasy pocket-book, he handed me a newspaper cut- ting, dated December 27th, which read At the Police-court this morning Robert Griggs, an itinerant showman, was charged with feloniously entering the farm- house of Mr. James Borrowdale, the well- known magistrate. From the evidence it transpired that, Griggs, who had been earlier in the afternoon refused admittance to the bouse, returned with a large bear, which he had previously tied up in a barn, and presented himself at the front door. The door having been opened in response to his knock, the bear was immediately pushed info the house by his owner. The servant rushed shrieking through the house, and communicated the excitement to every- body else on the premises, who fled pre- cipitately. Mr. Borrowdale being compelled to lock himself in the coal-cellar. This gentleman stated in the course of his evi- dence that Griggs was thereupon joined bji I two confederates X read no further, but 1 gave Wolverhamp- ton and the country surrounding a wide berth for many a day afterwards. 4
I AN EXPERIENCE ABROAD.
I AN EXPERIENCE ABROAD. j BY FEED KITCHEN (Famous as the Quaint Comedian in Karno's Sketches). The month of December many years ago commenced with a very ominous ontlook for me. At that time I was working with a part- ner. and having experienced cruel luck in England we decided upon a. trip to Italy. It took us three and a half days to get from London to Naples. The reason for the delay was that we could not speak Italian, and the Italians could not or would not speak Eng- lish or French. I knew a little French— Oui "—consecji'^ntlv we were unable to •make ourselves understood and were swindled all along the line. The railway jokers had a pleasant little way of stopping us periodically and telling us that we could not travel any further unless we paid so much extra. Oil yes. we con- tested the imposture on more than one occa- sion. with the result that we were delayed thirteen hours at, Genoa and seven at Pisa. We eventually arrived at Naples on the English Boxing Day. December 26th. I looked at my partner, and he glanced piti- fully at me. We had exactly :!ld. between its, and were longing for the good. big, old- fashioned Christmas dinner which we had missed. But it was no use giving way io tears, so we commenced to smile, and went off on a tour of exploration to find the theatre, which we discovered after a long search at the other end of the town. The theat re was crowded when we went on the stage, and during our performance the gallery boys stood up and whistled and snouted, and the keenest enthusiasm pre- vailed. What a hit we had made Surely we would lie justified in tapping the manage- ment for more salary. It would be impos- sible for him to find a more successful turn. But our hopes were soon dashed to the ground. We were summoned to the mana- gerial sanctum and informed that "as our turn had not been well received we must consider our contract at an end unless we were content to accept a diminished rate of salary." I I there and then asked the manager if he had seen our wonderful reception and heard the noisy plaudits of the gallery boys. Yes. he had heard, but he could not alter his impression, and we had to accept lower terms in the circumstances. About an hour later I heard that whistling in a Naples theatre was equivalent to hissing and booing with English audiences to signify disap- proval, and that the unscrupulous manage- ment had put some men upstairs to "whistle" us upon the occasion of our first visit. If I could have had the gloves on with that manager for a fc)v minutes I would have broken his eyelashes that Boxing Night. To finish the story, we got even before we left the place. By u process known the world over as "subbing'' i rom the manager we got together some 700 liras. with which we cried content and left Naples on an emigrant ship.
---------MY MASCOT CELLC
MY MASCOT CELLC By A U G USTE VAN BIENEI (Of The Broken Melody Fame), I am often asked hy my friends how much my 'cello is worth. That is a most difficult question for me to answer. From the point of view of a connoisseur I daresay if it were put up to auction it would fetch from £ 1,500 to £ 2,000. It is a Guarnerius. and formerly be- longed to the great Piatti, who was the most f,tTtl(,tts ('r Ili,, day. I got it from him twenty-five years ago. From my own point of view, however, it has a sentimental value, and I would not take any money for it. I call it my mascot, because it was once the means of saving my life. The incident happened several years ago, but it is as fresh ill my memory as though it were yesterday. 1 shall never forget it. I was traveJJing with my family in America, and at Christmas I was staying at Albany. On Boxiiig I intended to journey on to New York, and had made arrangements with my family to catch a certain train. We lived not far from the station, and I did not think it necessary to take a cab for such a short dis- tance. I beckoned to a poor, hungry-looking man and asked him to carry my instrument to the station. lIe, jumped at the chance of earning a few coppers, and allowing ourselves few minutes in which to catch the train wa set off. To my annoyance, however, i discovered that the man 1 had engaged to carry my 'cello was lame. He limped along pehind so slowly that when he reached the station the train had gone two minutes previously. I was very keenly disappointed, especially as I knew that some friends would meet the train at New York expecting to see me. There was no lleln for it, however, so we returned home, intend- ing to travel by the first train in the morning. On this occasion I carried the 'cello myself, and we were soon away on the journey. As we approached a bridge spanning the Hudson River my wife, who had been looking out of the window, suddenly called my atten- tion to a number of small objects floating in the water. I looked out, and to my astonish- ment saw that the surface of the river was littered with hats, sticks, umbrellas, and other articles. A little further on we caught sight of the roof of a Pullman car above the surface.' and immediately afterwards the train came to a dead stop. The guard came along and asked the passengers to alight, and we learnt to our horror that the train on which we had intended travelling had been derailed by train-wreckers, who knew that there was specie on board, and thrown into the river. Almost everyone on board was drowned. We were an nam raj jy very much upset over this terrible news, bur without delay I wired to my anxious friends, assuring them that I and my family were safe. That, was the nar- rowest escape from death that I ever had. When hurrying in the hope of catching the ill-fated train I could have gone on and given orders for my 'cello to be sent on; but. I would not, and now I have every reason to call it my mascot 'c,
--_.__---------Footballer…
Footballer Sent to Prison. Riotous Conduct at Porth. Vicious Attack on Police. At Porth Police Court on Thursday, before the Stipendiary (Mr. D. Lleufer Thomas) and other magistrates, Francis Wrentmore. the well-known Penygraig footballer, was charged with assaulting the police at Porth. Deputy Chief Con- stable Cole conducted the ease for the police, and Mr. T. W. Lewis, Pontypridd, defended. P.C. Mitchell said that about seven o'clock on Wednesday evening. November 9th, there was disorder near Porth Square. It was the night after the Tony- pandy riots. He saw the defendant in the crowd creating a disturbance. Wit- ness advised him to desist, when he dived at witness' legs in an attempt to throw him down, but witness jumped back and pushed him away. Another man then did the same thing, after which two other men attempted to strike witness on the face and body, but he defended himself and held them off. W rent-more again set on witness, but fell down. When he got up, he shouted, Here's one of 'em, and we are out; let's give it to 'em; come on, boys, let's have our revenge to-night." Wrentmore and others then came on, and hit witness about the arms. Several civilians came to witness' assistance, but eventually defendant hit him on the shoulder and in the face. Witness then drew his staff and hit at Wrentmore, but slipped and missed. He then put his staff back in his pocket. Defendant also shouted, Come oil, boys, we smashed b Pandy up last night, and we'll b well do Porth to-night." Witness saw defendant and his friends in the crowd several times after that. P.S. Davies and Inspector Williams then came up. Defen- dant shouted to the Iiispectoi- Send the b- soldiers back we don't want them here." There was a very large crowd about, shouting and booing, and defendant was in it. "Good at Making Rooms" Cross-examined, witness said he did not see defendant, giving evidence against the police in the case from Penygraig. He did not know defendant was a good footballer, but he knew he was a good one for making rows. P.S. Davies (said that about 7 p.m. on 9th November, in consequence of a mes- sage received, lie proceeded to Portli Square in company with P.C. Doolan. He saw P.C. Mitchell and four men on Cymmer Bridge. P.C. Mitchell told him that the four men had assaulted him. The crowd became very threaten- ing, shouting and booing. Witness advised Wrentmore to go home, when he shouted, "Come on. boys, we smashed b- Pandy, and ,e' It do Porth to-night." Inspector T. J. Williams gave corro- borative evidence, adding that stones and bottles were thrown. For the defence. Mr. T. W. Lewis stated that defendant was in Porth on the night in question, but was not near the spot where the assault was com- mitted. Evidence was called to prove this. The Stipendiary, in sentencing Wrent- more to two months' hard labour, said that the Bench was quite, satisfied that the case was made out.
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---------,TonypancGy.
TonypancGy. A splendid miscellaneous entertainment was held at Bethel (E.B.) on Thursday evening of last week. Mr. Levi Ladd (photographer), Tonypandy, occupied the chair. Miss Mary Benson, A.L.C.M., Penygraig, presided at the pl,-#o. Solos were rendered by Master Picton Ladd, and Misses Nellie Knight and Beatrice Charles, while Misses Lily' and Florrie Pritchard, and Misses. Ethel Knight and Annie Pritchard sang duets. Masters Morgan and Percy Griffiths, and Misses Elsie Jones, Winnie Ladd. Ethel Jones, Muriel Davies, and Beatrice Charles recited. Miss Jennie Holmes opened the meeting with a pianoforte solo, and Miss Benson, the accompanist, rendered an- other during the evening. Votes of thanks to those who had taken part and to the chairman brought a pleasant even- ing to a close.
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Benefit Corcart at Ferndale. Mr. Dd. Williamrul Popularity. A grand complimentary concert for the benefit of Mr. David Williams, the popular and genial manager of the Fern- dale Workmen's Hall, took place on Mon- day evening last at this commodious place of amusement. There was a very large and appreciative audience present, which thoroughly enjoyed the varied and interesting programme. Mr. Williams is a typical Welshman. Born at Merthvr in 1870, his parents removed to Treorchy when he was four years old. His sole ambition since he left school was to better himself, and when he reached the age of 18 opportunity knocked at his door, and he joined a portable theatre at Swindon as scenic artist and property man. Thence forward his progreiss was rapid and consistent. He became manager of the Bunch of Violets Company in 1892, and later joined Mr. Arthur Hare's company in the same capacity. An engagement with Mr. A. B. Tapping's company m The New Boy was followed by his appointment as general manager of the Public Hall at Colwyn Bay, and thence to the manage- ment of the Opera. House at Rhyl. After a two years' stay, he was promoted to the general management of the Rhyl Pier and Palace, which he successfully con- ducted for a term of over six years. His next move was to the North of England ;us manager of the Victoria Theatre, West Stanley, Durham. An appointment as general manager of the Ferndale Workmen's Hall, out of 178 applicants, brought him back again to Wales, and lie has already won a high reputation as a, public caterer in the Rhondda Fach. Monday night's programme opened with selections from Rossini by the Ferndale Prize Band (under the con- ductorship of the veteran. Mr. Samuel Radcliffe), which gave an earnest of a successful evening's enjoyment. Mr. Todd Jones, of the Royal Welsh Choir, followed, and was given a great recep- tion. He was heard to advantage in his beautiful rendering of Good-bye," for which he was accorded a well-merited Mr. DAVID WILLIAMS. encore. In response he gave "Bonnie Mary of Argyle in excellent fashion. The Sisters Williams, the young duettists. also had a fine reception. The younger of these two sisters must be commended upon her capital interpretation of "Sailor, Beware." The flower scene by these young artistes brought down the house, and they were deservedly applauded for their brilliant efforts. Mr. D. Evans (baritone) is deserving of praise for his Welsh songs. Mr. Jack Rees (comedian). Tonypandy. was also in fine form and he was obliged to respond. The duet. Flow gently, Deva," by Messrs. R. Watkin Owen and James Hughes, was very well received. Miss Annie Gibbon, Pontypridd, also gave an artistic rendering of the Lover's Song," for which she was encored. The second part of the programme was opened by the Ferndale Operatic Society, under the conductorship of Mr. T. Rhys Davies (organist, Capel Wesley), who gave a spirited rendering of the Choral Fan- tasia from Tannhaus.er." Mr. Davies is to be complimented upon his training of a choir which has won golden opinions in past years with "Iaritana." II Trovatore," and Dorothy." The chorus accompaniments were ably played by Mr. W. J. Evans, assisted by an orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. W. Davies (Co-operative). Another- comedian was Mr. Tom Jenkins Tonypandy, who took the house by storm, and was recalled several times. Mr. Phil D. Lewis, a young local elocutionist, gave capital reci- tations of passages from Shakespeare, and had to respond to encores. The Gla- morgan Quartet, including, in addition to the artistes previously mentioned, Madame Lewis-Morgan (contralto). Royal Welsh Ladies' Choir, were also in good form with In this hour of softened splen- dour." At the close of the programme, Mr. David Williams thanked the audience, the artistes, and the staff for their co- operation and support, and wished all present a. merry Christmas and a pros- perous new year. The singing of the National Anthem terminated a most enjoyable evening.
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