"Orphans" Entertain Their Ladies

The War Memorial Hall was filled to capacity one night last month when members of the Gisborne Orphans Club held their annual Ladies' Night. To entertain their ladies, the Orphans really turned it on. They staged a couple of sketches which would have put a professional company to shame, mustered an excellent orchestra under the baton of Tom Lyle, and produced a wealth of talent from the ranks for individual items.

Chief Orphan I. J. Corn organised the sketch illustrated here, in which vast quantities of crockery met a violent end as the "Kitchenairies" handled the washing-up. The sketch had some moments of high comedy in the best slapstick tradition.

In a perfect little cameo, Brian Corbett drops his tray, registers mock indignation, collapses into the arms of Frank Pollard

Club secretary Max Fry (left) is interrogated by "Constable" Eric Brown, while "Constable" Peter Stowers and the dishwashers' "G.O.C", Wally Jonasen, look on

Chief Orphan's name comes in for ribbing...

...as wash-up gang grow careless with crockery under influence of "Izzy Corn Cure". From left, Bert Emms, Eric Emerson, George Weatherley, Dick Burson, Wally Jonasen, and Peter Oates.

After presentation to secretary Max Fry (left), to mark his seven years" service as honorary secretary, Chief Orphan I. J. Corn and past-president Sid Moss, with their wives, lead singing of musical honours.

Tom Lyle's violin solos were appreciated.

The orchestra on stage.

A sketch which really brought the house down at the Orphans' Ladies' Evening was this one, entitled "The Baby Show." Peter Ferguson, who produced the sketch, introduced the programme as compere for a baby food contest.

Things were frightfully pesh as "Nurse" Keith Stichbury was introduced...

...then two very refined mothers (Wyn Ellis and Jack Gregory).

The tone fell with a thud when the third mother, Mrs Brown from Ruatoria (Derek Fitzgerald) arrived with two or three of her sprawling brood...

(with George Odams and Graham Ledger).

Three Bonny, Bouncing Babies dance a jig: Pat Munro, Bill Sutherland and Bill Grant were the hit of the evening.

Nurse Stichbury, who judged the contest, awards the Blue Ribbon to Mrs Brown's entry, Pat Munro.

Nurse Stichbury and mothers whip up a brew for the babies.

Something the audience didn't see...... Pat Munro having his diapers fixed backstage.

Derek Fitzgerald, Bill Wilkie, and the Ellis brothers entertain.
Fred Jones gave readings from Dickens.

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The Gisborne Photo News

No 76 : October 6, 1960

"Orphans" Entertain Their Ladies