THE MACKENZIE CONCERT PARTY.

Hot Lakes Chronicle, Volume 3, Issue 156, 27 November 1895, Page 2

THE MACKENZIE CONCERT PARTY.

As visits from professional companies to Rotorua are as few and far between as those-attributed to angels it is almost unnecessary to say that the I'ukeroa Hall was filled to its utmost capacity on Saturday night when Mr William Mackenzie and I lis talented party made their appearance. The programme was a most diversified one comprising music, mirth, song and story, with a few saltatory exercises thrown in which spoke volumes for the agility of the. scion of the Mackenzie clan who achieved them. The heat and burden of the evening wt s certainly borne by Mr Mackenzie himself but as lie has been blessed with a vigorous frame and a robust and highly resonant voice he accomplished the task with apparent ease. As a raconteur, more 'especially of stories of the Scottish order of architecture, he is inimitable and his

I repertoire of mirth-provoking anecdoti I seems inexhaustible. In *■ the lightej vein Mr Mackenzie is inimitable--his | rendering of the Laird of Ceckjien "' oi j " Simon the Cellirer" won] 1 induce an I anchorite to forsake his hermitage -and i m his sterner moments when pealing out i the inspirit ing notes of the " March of tie j Cameron Men," or delivering with iuten - i ity the descriptive song of " The Raft. ' ihe is most impressive. Both phases a e ! exhibited so rapidly and so agreeably i | the audience that it would be difficult to i make a choose in the matter of excelj lenae. Mr Mackenzie has chosen his company with rare discrimination. In Miss Jessie Glover we iind a young lady j " wi' a lang pedigree " as far as liistrii onic ancestry is con • : med and endowed j with much of the personal charm which j made her grandmother " the beautiful j Mrs Glover" the toast of the young ' bloods" of her day. Her singing is j piquant and her appropriate action im- | parts to her songs an additional fascination. Her song "Caller Herriii' " and her duets with Mr Mackenzie were loudly | applauded and redenutnded. Miss Glover's I histrionic ability, however, was more j fully demonstrated in the recitation | " Ladybird's Race," delivered with a purity of intonation and mobility of expression which betrayed careful training. Miss Aylett is the possessor of a highly cultured soprano voice and although incessant travel had impaired her powers to a certain extent the beautiful air of I " Killarnev " was given with much sweet - [ ness. The accompaniments were in the j hands of Mr Hookey and the solos contributed by him in the course of tlie evening formed a pleasurable break in the programme. On Sunday evening another large audience assembled at the Pukeroa Hall | after church hours when a sacred concert was given. The programme had been carefully chosen and no exception could be taken to any item rendered. Mr Mackenzie gave " I stand at the Door," from the Messiah with telling effect, and "The Holy City " was delivered with so much fervor that a repetition was eagerly sought for and given. Miss Alyett, who Was in excellent voice, contributed two items, " Ora pro nobis," and "Angels everjbright and fair," in a manner which enlisted the entire sympathies of the audience. Miss Jessie Glover sang " Charity " with remarkable expression and in her two recitations, "The Choir at Amen Comei'' and " The Christ-child " again betrayed the possession of much dramatic force. Mr Hookey's accompaniments were faultless and his solos were received with marked approval. The company are nowtouring the Thames district and ar.ticii pate paying a return visit to Rotorua in about a month's time.