The Godfrey Company.

Hastings Standard, Issue 157, 28 October 1896, Page 2

The Godfrey Company.

It is generally taken by newspaper men ami the public that anything piloted by Mr L. J. Lolir bears the stamp of genuineness, and is worthy of patronage. The genial manager generally contrives to get hold of something that hits the public taste and proves a financial success. In obtaining the services of Mr Charles Godfrey Mr Lohr secured a prize, for his company has been extensively patronised wherever it lias opened. "With an eye to business the introducers of the kincmatograph were negotiated with, and they threw in their lot with the company. Then several smaller and lesser lights brought up the show to one well worth travelling with. I"or many years Charles Godfrey has been one of the lions of the London music lialls, and Australia was fortunate in bringing him to the colonies before his fame had vanished. Although his voice is not what it was 12 years ago it is still as rich in feeling, and his songs have lost none of the vivacity of past years. " The 7th Royal Fusiliers "is not a new item, but its rendering last evening brought out rapturous applause, as did '•Dreams" and the beautifully pathetic " Their headsnestled closer together.'" All Mr Godfrey's items were well received, and at the conclusion he got quite an ovation. Mr J. C. Bain is a young Australian who knows how to sing comic songs effectively, and although his choice of subjects would not pass the muster of the ordinary Sunday School the audience seemed to catch on to them and thirst for more. Miss Ada Baker was announced in the bills as "The Australian Nightingale,'' and it must be said that she possesses a soprano voice of great sweetness and thoroughly under control. "The Holy City" was a sdlendid item, and it was rapturously encored, and she was quite as successful in '• Kathleen Mavourneen." Miss Beanie Galletley is a danseuse of extraordinary high-kicking ability, which seemed to immensely please the audience. Little Trixie is one of the most precocious children we have dropped across, and her natural movements-excite favorable comment. Miss Edie Beeves sang a song which made us blush, which may be taken as a criterion that it might with advantage be omitted from the programme. It was entitled "Up came Johnnie with his Camera," and told about a lot of funny things. The Bovis Bros, are clever comedians and play off the Irishman to perfection. Consequently they were a success. The other members of the company gave satisfaction. In Edison's latest marvel, "The Kinematograph," the audience are given a glimpse of an invention which is. to say the least of it. more than surprising. Although the light last night was not as strong as it should have been, the principle of the invention was seen to advantage. There was but one defect — there was not enough of it. Just when people were beginning to appreciate it the show concluded. Six scenes were shown, and there was a demand for a repetition of each of them. They were all intensely lifelike, and the manipulators, Messrs Hausmaim and Gow, have a machine in which there is a big draw. Altogether the Godfrey Company was one that gave every satisfaction, and full value for the prices of admission! which is g aying a good deal.