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The Patriotic Entertainment of 1915

St. Andrews Beacon
Aug 19/1915
Social Life of St. Andrews
We print in another part of this issue an account of the Patriotic Entertainment given in the Andraeleo Hall on Wednesday evening of last week, the proceeds of which were handed to the local branch of the Red Cross Society. The entertainment was projected, arranged and carried out by the summer residents of the town, though much assistance was given by the President of the local Society, Mrs. G. H. Stickney, and other members. The entertainment was probably the best ever given in SA, and the large Hall was filled to its utmost capacity by delighted and enthusiastic audience. Too much praise cannot be given to Lady Tait for the genius and untiring energy she displayed in promoting the entertainment and in making it the great success it was.
            Perhaps the not least pleasing feature of the event was the bringing together on this occasion the summer visitors and the townspeople. It has been a matter of comment in the past there is very little community of feeling and interest between the temporary and permanent residents; and that purely local entertainments are never patronized by cottagers and hotel guests. The Red Cross entertainment ought to be a forerunner of the closer association of visitors with the people of the Town, and a participation in their social life and amusements. A more intimate acquaintance would undoubtedly prove to be a source of mutual satisfaction to visitors and townspeople alike.

Concert at Andraeleo Hall in aid of Red Cross Society. An “Allied Nations Tableau” in the second part, with countries represented in significant attitudes by various ladies. Eg. Italy by Miss Ethel Forgan, Ireland by Miss. M. Shaughnessy, and France by Miss Winnifred Tait.
            Algonquin orchestra was there: “certainly deserve a warm note of thanks for the way they accompanied all the songs, dances and marches, and the splendid music they rendered at the opening of the first and second parts of the programme.”
            “The entertainment was projected, arranged and carried out by the summer residents of the Town, though much assistance was given by the President of the local society, Mrs. G. H. Stickney, and other members.”
            See photocopy--on unusual and commendable coming together of summer and permanent residents.

Patriotic Entertainment for the Red Cross Society of SA
The Andraeleo Hall was filled to overflowing with an enthusiastic and appreciative audience, Wednesday evening, August 11, to witness a most artistic and brilliant concert, in aid of the Red Cross Society of SA
            The “Dance of the Roses” to Mendelssohn’s “Spring Song” was most gracefully and artistically performed by the following young ladies: Constance Hope, Ethel Gratz, Dolly Thompson, Swen and Audrey Hampson, Norma and Gladys Rogers. These young ladies were surprised by a visit from a beautiful butterfly, little Miss Muriel Dreyer, who gracefully danced in their midst and finally led them away. These were followed by “Canada,” (Miss Marjorie Burke) and her Provinces, who marched to the stirring music of “The Maple Leaf”, then posed at the back of the stage to form a strong defence for a group of “Merry Harvesters,” little girls of nine and ten years of age, Jean Ganong, Dorothy Lamont, Geraldine Smith, Molly Lawford, Emma Odell, Marion O’Hara, Ethel Joseph,, Jean Maxwell, Mabel Elliott, and Hope McMahon, in brilliant and fantastic costumes, carrying racks decorated with scarlet poppies and bunches of whet. These little ladies danced a stirring country dance, and their bright colors contrasted beautifully with the graceful Kate Greenaway frocks, and rose garlands of the Rose Dance. An interesting group in the Harvester’s Dance was the tiny Sunflower, Miss Ruth Anderson, and the Hollyhock, Miss Rosemary Platt; and their big Bumblebees, Masters Wilmot Platt and Darcy Doherty. This little quartet, ages five and six years, gracefully fluttered between the Harvesters, and deserve particular mention, it being their first public appearance. Miss Muriel Dreyer also gave a solo dance in this Court, dancing the Spanish Dance most artistically. The first part of the programme closed with the striking Tableaux of “Canada surrounded by her Provinces” and “Harvesters.”
            The notable features of the second part of the programme were the Allied Nations Tableaux: these were living pictures most beautifully posed and elaborately costumed:
Serbia--Miss Isabel Adam
Russia--Miss R. Hanson
France--Miss Winnifred Tait
Belgium--Miss Helen Thompson
Japan--Miss A. Southam
Italy--Miss Ethel Forgan
Scotland--Miss M. Forgan
Ireland--Miss Ms. Shaughnessy
Britannia--Mrs. J. Coulson
These were all so perfect that words of praise could not express adequately the appreciation of the audience; however, one word for poor little Belgium, she won every heart and her dejected attitude made all feel that “all we do I is not enough.” These Allies grouped around the regal figure of Britannia, with Plenty and Prosperity, the Misses A. and M. Tunstall Smith on either side, and the Angel of Peace, Miss Anna Mitchell, of SA, hovering above, formed an impressive tableau as a finale.
            The young boys of the Army, Messrs. Henry and Evan Gill, Blythe Maxwell, Harold Hampson, Charles Ballantyne, Lovell Thompson, Francis Seward, and George McBean; and the Navy, Edwin Ganong, Francis Gill, James Ballantyne, Henry Markey, David Anderson Brian Doherty, George Gurthe and Tom Odell, deserve great praise for the soldierly way in which they marched through their figures, making all fee how well they could do their part if they were men old enough to stand for their Country. During their march they were interrupted by little Miss Dreyer, who danced herself into the hearts of the audience in the Fisher’s Hornpipe.
            Other tableaux were . . . “What we Have We Hold,” which was simply splendid for it is very rare for a real living English bulldog to be seen standing on the good Old Flag before such an enthusiastic audience. During this tableau, Mister Evan Gill pleased the audience with a short military recitation in a most pleasing and distinct manner. Then followed “The Crown of Glory, “ Master Henry Gill as a wounded and dying soldier with the Angel of Peace, Miss Mitchell, bending over him. This brought all over, to the Front with “our” dear boys, and one may be sure many a prayer went up for them, and eyes were dimmed. . . . The grand finale tableau Britannia surrounded by her Provinces, Army, Navy and Allied Nations, gave to St. Andrews a scene it never saw before, and may never see again. It was majestic, and thrilled every heart.
            The Orchestra of the Algonquin Hotel, assisted by Mrs. R. A. Stuart, Jr., of SA, certainly deserve a warm vote of thanks for the way they accompanied all the songs, dances and marches, and the splendid music they rendered at the opening of the first and second parts of the programme.

St. Croix Courier
Aug 19/1915
The entertainment in Andraeleo hall on Wednesday evening last, under the patronage of lady Shaughnessy, Mrs. Arthurs and Lady Tait, was a great success, the proceeds amounting to $600.00, which is to be used for Red Cross purposes. the programme consisted of tableaux, vocal solos, flag drills and dancing by Miss Muriel Dryer of Montreal. The soloists were Miss Forgan, Miss burke, Miss Cassidy, Miss Carrie Gillmor and Miss Laura Wilson, Mrs. R. A Stuart, jr. accompanist. The Algonquin orchestra furnished music during the evening.