THE AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 194, 29 July 1873, Page 5

THE AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENT.

The first popular entertainment organised this winter on behalf of the Cromwell Athenteum building fund took place last Thursday evening at Kidd's Concert-hall, in the presence of a large and appreciative audience. An unusual degree of energy on the part of the Programme Committee, and a unanimous determination on the part of the performers, both musical and dramatic, to put forth their hest efforts to please, combined to work out such a successful and gratifying result as we have seldom had the pleasure of recording in these pages. In the absence of Mr MacivelJar,— upon whom, by tacit consent, the duty has invariably devolved on previous occasions of this kind,-—the onerous and responsible post of general director was undertaken byMrPreshaw; and very ably and satisfactorily did he perform the work. The stage was tastefully decorated for the occasion, and the arrangements for the comfort and convenience of the various performers left little to be desired on that score. The first part of the entertainment comprised a number of yocal pieces,—solos and due!,s,—a recitation, instrumental selections by the Brass Band, and some practical illustrations of mesmerism and clairvoyance by " Professor Squash " and n« son. The second part was devoted to the Performance of the favourite farce, "Turn aim Out," which was introduced with a Paid march played by the Band. Shortly after eight o'clock the curtain rose » the overture, at the conclusion of which

the members of the Band received a wellearned tribute of approbation. Next on the programme was a song, "' The Officer's Funeral," but for this, by consent, Mr Todd substituted " Oft in the Stilly Night,"—a very trying ordeal for a first appearance ; neverless it was successful, and the singer evinced a degree of control over his voice which at once proved him to be a proficient in the art. The operatic duet, " Peace to thy Spirit," (Verdi), was well rendered by Mrs Rhind and Mrs Matthews ; the voices harmonised pleasantly, the music was correctly sung, and the accompaniment was artistically played ; but the effect was greatly marred in consequence of the piano being below concertpitch, thus necessitating an unnatural depression of the voices to preserve unison with the tone of the instrument. The same unavoidable defect was noticeable throughout the concert, and all the vocalists laboured under equal disadvantages in this particular. Mr Jaggar's comic recitation, " The One-legged Goose," was well delivered, and created 'considerable mirth among the audience. " The Paiiy Bells," sung by Mrs Matthews with taste and expression, was favourably received, and the accompaniment was very prettily and effectively played by Mrs Rhind. The Band gave the favourite air, " Love Not," in good style, and were warmly applauded. The next song, " Herz mein Herz," was sung by Mr Pretsch, who acquitted himself, as he always does, most creditably. Then followed the ever-popular duet, "The Gipsy Countess," by Mrs Rhine! and Miss Brownlie, which was excellently sung and highly appreciated ; the former lady's well-trained voice is peculiarly rich and melodious in the lower notes, and blended effectively with the clear, fresh treble of Miss Brownlie. The next to appear was Mr Robert Campbell, who gave that difficult song, "The Anchor's Weighed," in admirable style, although he was not at all prepared for it, having been called upon at the last moment to supply the place of a vocalist who failed to " show up." This was followed by " Kathleen Aroon," a simple yet beautiful melody, nicely sung by Miss Brownlie. After a lively dance-time by the Band, Mr James Hurley appeared in one of his clever nigger songs, danced a plantation breakdown with marvellous agility, and finally brought down the house. An encore was persistently demanded, but the stage-manager was inexori able, and would allow no infringement of the [rule he h.id laid down. Mrs Matthews, in j 'J The Flowers of the Forest," was less effective than usual, but this was entirely ovviirz | to the unfavourable circumstance we have | before referred to ; the music was correctly ! rendered, and the enunciation admirably dis- | tinct, but the requisite power and expression j could not be imparted. "The Bonnie Brier j Bush" was well sung by Miss Brownlie, and this concluded the concert. Mrs Rhind, as accompanist, played brilliantly and skilfully, [and contributed largely to the general sucj cess of the entertainment. Professor Squaih (Mr Moore) and son gave j an amusing exhibition of an electro-biological j kind, and also did some clever tilings in clair jvoyauce. Their efforts to amuse were well j appreciated. To give a detailed critique of the dramatic ' performance—the well-known farce "Turn j Him Out"—is unnecessary : suffice it to say that the piece is admirably suitable for an amateur company, the various parts being evenly balanced, and none of the characters difficult to impersonate. The ladies and gentlemen who constituted the dramatis persona are deserving of the highest commendation for the excellence of their acting throughout, and it is not too much to say that the performance would have done credit even to a professional company. Mr Fraer, as Nicodemus Nobbs,—the low-comedy man of the piece,— was capitally got up, and acted the character vigorously and effectively. The part of Mr Mackintosh Moke was ably sustained by Mr Colclough, whose acting was natural at.d unconstrained, and his delivery fluent and agreeable. Mr Jolly, as Mr Eglantine Roseleaf, was faultlessly made-up ; in fact he was so thoroughly metamorphosed that his most intimate friend would have failed to penetrate the disguise. The part was an uncongenial one, but Mr Jolly pourtrayed it most efficiently and successfully. Miss Murray, as Julia, the injured wife, acted with becoming grace and dignity, and although she had but little scope for the display of dramatic talent, her delineation was careful and effective ; indeed the part could scarcely have been better played. Miss Kelly performed the role of Susan, the pert maiil-of-all-work, with the most consummate ability, and gave unmistakeable proof of great natural talent for the histrionic art. The part suited her exactly, and she acted with a degree of ease and a display of vivacity that fairly surprised every one present. The curtain fell amidst loud and prolonged applause.