An' Evening: with the Nerthamptonshires' Concert Party By "BUNK" oF mug "NOC, T arrived tate, if stood outside the door and the raindéops dropped fon me, The gutters are not very good at the'Ferry Road Centre. I listened "and lungied at Beret. Tustain rtd his -antics in "Banana Skins are Falling." The place vas erowded'and T made my way round to the back of the hall and manceuvres my way to a front seat. Miss: Cohen came on the scene "and sang "A; Russian Lullaby." What.a voice! What deserved applause! I had never been to a soldiers' concert before and was enraptured. I intended to stay for ten minutes—I stayed to the end of the pro gramme, The occasion was a pro~ gramme by "The Black Patches." Who are "The Black Patches?" didn't know when arrived. I know now. 'They are—with the ception' of Mrs. and Miss Cohen—drawn from-the Northamptonshire Regiment, Not a common or garden concert-party but an aggregation of artists, T had no programme and after hearing Miss Cohen sing, I went to the back of the stage. I met Set. A—. "Could I have a programme," asked, "fam "Blank'
the "North-Ohina Daily News." Certainly," was the reply, "come and havea drink." went. "What 'a voice that girl has," I said. "Ye said he, "Have another dvinl Thad one. Back to the back of the stage. "Is Mrs, Cohen here," T asked: "I am Mrs, Cohen" said a voice. "I am 'Blank' of the "North.
China Daily News." "Do you like four show? let me introduc Capt. 'B? and Lieut," your show is wonderful" and if meant it. "How do you'd,' said Capt. "B" who was now joined Major "D."" "Have a dein! A potion was dealt out from a small blue poison bottle, "Its quite all right said "B", T just carry around in this poison bottle because its more convenient, will you. have soda or water?" "Soda please," said After a search no soda could, be found. "Have some beer with' it" said Major "D", "No thanks," said 1. "NI pour it back and have some beer." "Right" said he, and Thad some beer. On with the show, The first in the second half was a "Wireless Interlude" by Sergt. Tustain, Mrs. Cohen, Major Coktwell, and Capt, Hfinohelitte. Tt was. a scream. Everyone Jaughed until the tears rolled down, Then a snappy little song by the ineomparable Miss Cohen, She sang "Five Foot Two" and was hindered by Capt. Hincheliffe, It brought the house down. Then Sergt, Tustain (a natural comedian) in' "Babs Songs at the piano by Mrs, Cohen and then the sketch—the piece of the evening—entitled the "Operatic Orderly Room." The cast was follows:—
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