Cooper's Scenic Concerts.

Hastings Standard, Issue 176, 20 November 1896, Page 2

Cooper's Scenic Concerts.

This clever company showed at the Princess Theatre last evening to a fair audience, but the attendance was not nearly so good as the performance deserved. The history of the development of England's first line of defence —the Royal Navy—illustrated with the aid of a powerful t-riunial sterooptican, was dealt with from the earliest period down to the launching of the Royal Sovereign, and the vivid pictures thrown on the screen were greeted with enthusiasm. There was a splendid representation of an engagement between two warships—masts fell, riggings were splintered and sails were torn, as broadside after broadside were exchanged, and ultimately the enemy's ship was exploded and sank beneath the waves. The mechanical effects of this picture were faultlessly manipulated and were rapturously received. The burning of a London warehouse and other striking scenes were also shown. Mr MacKenzie's rendering of the " Death of Kelson," with illustrations, was a splendid effort and deserved the loud applause with which it was received ; his line rolling baritone was also heard to advantage in " Hearts of Oak." Miss Glover recited " An Amateur Rider," which certainly struck a sympathetic chord in the hearts of a large portion of her audience. She also recited " The Eireman's Wedding," with illustrations, her description of the event being vivid to a degree. Miss Caulton was in splendid voice, and her rendering of " Killarney " was exceptionally effective, the views during the progress of the item being beautiful. Mrs Price was also successful, " Dublin Day" receiving full justice from her clear contralto voice. Mr S. Ridgway sang "Let Me Like a Soldier Fall " with good effect, and another splendid item was Mr Goldsmith's " British Lion." Mr 11. H. Hunt gave a splendid reading of "Jane Conquest," the scenic effects being exceptionally good. Not a little of the success of the concert was due to the playing of Miss Stevens, an accomplished pianist, who accompanied the several vocal items.