Charity Concert-Chichester Observer-Wednesday 14 April 1926

Charity Concert. The annual concert, composed of local talent, held in aid of the St. Mary's Somerstown Summer Outing Fund, took place in the Pavilion on Thursday. A full house assembled to enjoy a really first class entertainment. In using a much-hackneyed expression, “local talent,” one is sometimes led to understand (through the misdeeds of some) that something inferior, or at least second rate is implied, but let me hasten to assure readers that in this instance there was nothing savouring either of the inferior or second rate variety of a “show,'' but a real lively, jolly and witty concert, with excellent music, good singing, and bright, sparkling humour, that, contrary to the general trend of “local talent” concerts, was unanimously enjoyed by all present, and has whetted nicely the appetite of the crowded audience for a second edition. Here is the programme: Pianoforte solo. Mr. Brocklar; song, Mr. Wilkins (Chichester Cathedral tenor); dance, Miss Molly Denyer; sketch, children; song, Miss M. Ray; song, Rev. D. Boycott; song, Miss D. West; humorous song, Mr. Arthur Mant (the “Sussex Yokel"); recitation. Miss J. Langford; comedy, "The Burglar,” Mrs. Bryan, Miss C. Bryan, Mrs. Langford, Mrs. Chatters, Miss J. Langford; song, Mr. Wilkins; Grecian dance. Miss P. Bryan; song. Miss J. Langford; song, D. Boycott and boys; song, Miss Ray; dance, Misa Molly Denyer; song. Miss D. West; Mr. Arthur Mant. A particularly interesting item which was the source of much real fun and amusement was a comedy act entitled "The Burglar," in which Mrs. Bryan, Miss P. Bryan, Mrs. Langford, Miss J. Langford, and Mrs. Chatters carried off the honours in way that seemed to suggest no little amount of previous experience of audiences. Another "tit bit" that must have special mention was the delightful stage version at that time-honoured nursery rhyme, “Three Little Mice," tendered by the children. Master D. West took the part of the designing "Pussy" in very charming style, as also were the other parts taken by little Miss Audrey Bryan and Masters John Cuff, John Chatters and Ken Chatters. The children acquitted themselves with a really remarkable firmness and certainty that many "grown-ups" might have envied, and their whole performance reflected great credit to those responsible for their training. Great praise is due to Mrs. Hartly, who was the principal factor in organising the concert, and thanks are also due to Mr Phipps, who made very generous concessions in regard to the hire of the Pavilion, of which he is the manager. As will be seen by the programming, there were just two exceptions when generalising the programme as consisting of local talent. These were Mr. Arthur Mant and Mr. J. Wilkins, of Chichester Cathedral, who greatly contributed to the success of the evening. After all expenses had been cleared, the very commendable balance of £14 was handed to the above mentioned fund.