THE SCOTTISH ENTERTAINERS

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 8106, 8 October 1904, Page 2

THE SCOTTISH ENTERTAINERS

The entertainment provided by Miss I F. Donaldson and Mr Gavin Spence in i ihe Opera House last night was one oi the most enjoyable of its kind that has been presented in Hayera. In a way ;he performance was unique, and those who had the pleasure of witnessing it must have left with a better understanding of Scotland, its struggles, its sentiment, and its song. "Considering its struggles for national existence," saia Mr Spence, "the wonder is that Scotland ever had a song to sing." The major portion of the work fell upon Mr Spence, whose performance was at once a success in song and story. Not the least pleasing part of the entertainment was the description that preceded each number, the short mt effective historical sketch which en\bled all to have an intelligent apprccia> tion of the sons. As a humorist Mr Spence is a living refutation of Scotland's alleged inability to see a joke. There was something in the nature of me chestnut auout several of his anecdotes, but in the telling they were invested with a new interest and were heartily enjoyed. Of the fourteen numbers that were given it would be difficult to single out any for spec'al praise, but "The Hundred Pipers" by Mr Spence. "Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond" ny Miss Donaldson, and a duet "The Crookit Bawbee" were perhaps the favorites, judging by the loua and spontaneous encores. Other notable numbers were "Sound the Pibroch," "Scotland," and "When ye gang awa', Jamie." The entertainment throughout was keenly en- : oyed, the evening being one of delightfully healthy nmusement and poetic instruction.