MUSICAL- AND DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT.

Clutha Leader, Volume XII, Issue 598, 1 January 1886, Page 3

MUSICAL- AND DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT.

An entertainment was. given in Barr's hall on Boxing night in aid of the "Black Peter " fund. • THere^ was a : good attendance, the front seats 'being well filled, and the body of the hfilLrtioderately so. The first part consisted; r 6f: vocal music, and the Becond the musicjil drama '.' Daisy, the Woodcutter's Daughter," by the Balclutha Amateur /Dramatic Club. The Kaitangata Brass ißand, the. members of which have been ,so very obliging, and rendered ho much^seryice-here and elsewhere during these, hdiidav,s, was in attendance, and opened; .both parts with selections. This Baud; plays V9ry nicely indeed, and deserves a very hearty support from all classes of the community . The first itjjm on the- programme was 4 song by Mr G. Matni^n^^Tjie Shilling," which was rendered with that gentleman's usual taste and accnracy-^rar.d this is saying a gcod deal. He was followed by j Misa Maumillim with Wae's me for Prince Ohnrlie," which she sang very sweetly,, both by her manner and modulation of voice clearly exhibiting the sentiment of the author. Miss Macmillan is a very high favourite in the Clutha, and on this occasion received, ,a . very hearty encore. Mr Oonnly next sang " Kil- , aimey," and he also had to respond to ah encore, giving " While the bloom is on the rye." Mr Reunert next faced tho audience with " The Skipper's Flag." This gentle.man has not thiis favoured a Balclutha audience for Rome time, and in the interim he seems to have considerably improved in his voice, especially in the higli notes, which he 'now takes with much greater ease than formerly. On this occasion he made the most of his splendid voice ; he alno aang with perfect accuracy, and received quite an" ovation. As an encore item he gave " Will yo no come back again." At a later stage he sang' " I'll conquer or die," and, iia response to an, encore, " Scots wha hae." In all Rig items he was fully .successful. Miss Mason sang " Reign of the Rosoa,"

and later on "It was a dream," both items being rendered with much taste and expression. This lady hns also of late very much improved in her vocalisation. She seems now to have gained complete control of her powerful voice, and is thus able to give accurate expression to the sentimcmt of the song. .Shu had a vory hearty reception. Mr Whiting sang " Laugh, laugh, laugh," with his usual success, and in reply' to an encore, " Turkey Rhubarb.' 1 Mr R. Ayson sansj two songs—' ' Golden Lovo" and." Vanity. ' Theso aru both -very pretty souks, and Mr Ayson did thera.f till justice. Mr Ay vm ,has on many occasions appeared before a Balolutha audience, but, we think, never to greater advantage than in his two songs on Saturday .night. The first part waa brought to a close by Mr Connly singing "My pretty June." Mrs Grigor and Miss Sharp were the accompanists!, and it therefore is needless to say that this service wits most tMliciontly and pleasantly rendered. ■'■■''. -

As h»8 b»en said,, part second was tho drama, " Daisy, '.the 'Woodcutter's Daughter," and as this pieca was so recently given ii\ t,ho same place, it is unnecessary to refer to ifc in detail. All the characters were represented as before, with two exceptions. Mr G. Matheson took the parlrof Mark Latigdale, and his training in another corps im doubt stood him. in good stead, and enabled, him to exhibit the Roundhead Sergeant with an easy natural ness that, ia seldom witnessed at amateur performances. Mr B. Whiting took the part of / Ephraim Curtspeech, a Corporal in. the same regiment^ and the part received ample justice at his hands. As Daisy, Miss Macmillan was again thoroughly successful .';■ while Mr May, as the woodcutter's assistant, kept the audience in roars of . larighter. Messrs Newton, Weir,, and Rooney, in their respective parts, left nothing to be desired. Two son srs were introduced into this piece — " Where there's, a "will, there's a way," by Miss Macmillan ; and "A warrior bold," by Mr G. Matheson. Both songs were. appropriate, and were rendered most effectively';.. The. orchestra was composed of piano (Mrs Grigor) and violin (Mr J. Sharp), and . did good service. It was admitted on all/hands that the whole piece went very, smoothly, and was even more successful thai? .on the occasion of its first introduction by the> Club. It in to be hoped the members of the Club will 'stick.. together, ■ and continue their studies, for theyvhave already proved that they poaßessr.-ttie ability and aptitude for the efficient representflifcifta; of such pieces upon, the stage.. Thai/ entertainment realised the sum of L 17:45., .

At the close,. Mr May thanked the audience for their attendance, and also moved, a hearty vote of thanks tdtbe members of the Kai tan gata, Brass .Band for their kind and gratuitous services. The vote was passed by ncclamation. Mr May also introduced Edward Peters, the beneficiary, who briefly thanked them all for their kindness and liberality.