BENEFIT TO MR GEORGE LEITCH.

Auckland Star, Volume XXV, Issue 139, 12 June 1894, Page 8

BENEFIT TO MR GEORGE LEITCH.

The friends and admirers of Mr Georgo Leitch—and he has many of both in this city—were present in force at the Opera House yesterday evening to witness or take part in the benefit entertainment tendered to the genial actor before his-departure for Napier. The wet evening undoubtedly prevented agood many from being present who would have desired to -attend, but their absence'in no way affected the success of the evening. Of course, the.centre of attraction was Mr Leitch himself who, besides singing seyoral songe, presented himself in two very dissimilar roloa—that of Jaikes in the "Silver King," and that of Toftkin in •• Human. Nature " —which are both most agreeably associated with his name in the Australasian colonies. His songs, as was anticipated, brought down the house. "Downey Old Limbs, of the Law,",took well, biit ib was " Tho Giddy Little Curate " that evoked the greatest storm of applause. Twice did Mr Leitch appear in answer to recalls, giving on his lasb appearance his famous "The Good : Young Man Who Died." This lasb'effusion has always been a favourite, but ib musb hide its diminished head before "The Giddy Little Curate," into which. Mr Leitch imports such a wealth of cunning simplicity and delicate humour that it proves irresistible. /The two scenes from " Human Nature " represented Mr Leitch in one of his best comedy parts, and in the Hut scene from the " Silver King," he impersonated the faithful servant with An infinite pathos. In both the dramatic representations, he was ably assisted by Mrs Cooper and Mr Boak. Owing to the length of the programme, the scene from itt&r ••■E6_.il' Divers," was omitted. Among .hose who helped to make the evening the SHoe'ess that it was, were, Mr Arcbd_%Tayle..,.w_o recited in exoellenb style, IG_l6e'rt,B A Rival C_._.tel." MrGeS.. who sang " Tom Bowling " and " Let me Love Thee ;" Mr A. L. Edwards, who appearedtwice, with " The Carnival" and " I "Watch For Thee in Starless Night;" Mr A. S. Reid and Mr H. L. Brett, who/ang respectively, "Will-'o' The Wisp" and "The Soldier's Good-bye;" Mrs Kiigour, who rendered ''Tell me, my Hearb';" and 'Herr Zimmermann, who played a octuple of. violin solos, and Miss Abbott who played several pianoforte solos. Miss Reeve and Miss M. Reid accompanied the singers. The whole entertainment was exceptionally well received' by the audience, and we trusb that Mr Leitch will carry with him to Napier the pleasantesb recollections of Auckland. He certainly carries, with him the warmest wishes of ua all for his success Id his new enterprise.