THEATRE ROYAL.

Auckland Star, Volume XIII, Issue 3644, 15 April 1882, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

MISS CABKIE GODFREY'S BENEFIT.

Miss Caukik Godfrey's benefit (ook placo in the Theatre Royal last evening, and was attended by one of the largest audiences that have ever been assembled within the buildiog, the fact being unequivocal testimony to tho great popularity of the lady. The entertainment began with tho performanca of " Perfection," a smartly-written comedietta, full of point and bun mots, and pregnant with humour. Miss Godfrey, Miss Major, Mr Arthur Elliott, Mr Frank Gerald, and Mr J. J. Welsh impersonated the various part?, and the satisfaction of the audience wan marked at frtqucnt intervals by emphatic applause. Two songs were introduced into her part by Miss Godfrey, and they were well received, viz, " I Love Him So " and " I Want to be Somebody's Dailing.' The concert succeeded the dramatic performance. Its leading features were tho sougs, "Alas! those Chimes," by the bcncficiarc, and " The Desert," by Mr Gordon Gooch, and the pianoforte solo, " Vivi tv " (Uohler), by Mr Angelo Forrest, Tho lady laboured under the disadvantage of an indifferent accompaniment, but with the exception of slight trepidation at the beginning, she sang with her accustomed success. In response to the encore which was exacted, she gave with much swectucss " Out on the lvocks." Mr Gooch's contribution was the line doscriptivo ficena. "Tho Desert," to which he did ample justice. In compliance with the rccal he also fiang " The White Squall" with decided cll'eet. Mr Forrest played brilliantly, and on being encored, bowed his acknowledgments of the corupliment. Mr Thompson's cornet sulo, "The Favourite,1' was also capitally executed, and he shared in the popular favours by being iccalled, when he performed the plaintive air, " Sweet Spirit, Hear my Prayer" very pleasingly, xho other items were : Song, " The Gallants ot England," Mr Percy Dufaur; song, "A Damsel Fair was Singing," Miss A. Samson; cavatina, " Vieni la mia vendetta " (English version), Mr P.fidmiston ; song, " llcmeinbcr Me," Miss A. isamsun j pianoforte so!o, a valse by Mattel, Mr Ralph Hood. This gentleman and Mrfclatcr played the accompaniments. The entertainment concluded with an amusing little burletta entitled " Cups and Saucerß," in which Miss Godfrey and Mr Kdniiston sustained the twa ro!es that it contains. It is an agreeable trifle, and appeared to please tho audience. In the course of the evening a good orchestra, under the direction of Mr Angelo Forrest, played the overture to " Le Diademe " (Herman), tho ovei> ture to " Uodefroy Bouillon," and "The Star and Garter Valse." At the fall of the curtain on Ihe comedy, Mr J. J. Wel>h prcsoutcd Miss Godfrey, on behalf of tho American Consul (Mr G. W l.'ritlin), with several large] andhandsomc bouquets. Mr Gordon Gooch also took tho opportunity to announce that, in consideiation of his services that evening, Miss Godfrey had proniiscd to siug, " Alas! those Chimes," at his operatic concert in the Choral Hall on Monday night,