AMUSEMENTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LII, Issue 5807, 6 October 1879, Page 4

AMUSEMENTS.

ODDFELLOWS’ HALL. Not even the wretchedly bad weather of Saturday afternoon would have hindered the Oddfellows’ Hall being crowded to excess hod the public realised how exceptionally excellent the programme which had been announced. would prove to be. As it was the attendance was only moderately numerous. The various items of the programme were faithfully adhered to, though the order in which they were presented was slightly altered. Mr and Mrs Hoskins gave their admirable duologue, “ The Happy Pair,” with their well-known ‘ finish, and were recalled at its close. Miss Linnie Leslie sang very sweetly, “ Still I love thse,” and Mr Le Clair, taking the place of Mies Le Fevre, sang two of his songs. Messrs Waters and Kelly displayed their powers as grotesque dancers and acrobats in " Our odd and easy stjle.” Mr G. F. Searle recited “ The charge of the Light Brigade,” with musical accompaniment, and was loudly applauded for it. Miss Victoria Loftus ana Miss Minnie Esmond give their “ Footsteps on the Band” with good taste and excellent precision. Messrs Sarony, Lo Clair and Waters caused roars of laughter in “ The French Dancing Master.” M. Emile Bourgeois sang in a nice mellow voice, “ L’Amour de la patrie,” and “Le Bravo de Venue.” Miss Victoria Loftus sang with much feeling the pathetic song “ Dawkins.” Messrs G. Leopold and 0. M. Craig, with Miss Emma Dubois and Miss Blanche Leopold played excellently a capital farce, entitled "A Fit of Dyspepsia.” Miss Beatrice and Mr D Orsay Ogden gave a portion of their new comedy, “An Original Idea,” and » scene from “The Marble Heart” with greateffect, the songs of Miss Beatrice being particularly noteworthy. Mr H. F. Towle sang one of his favourite songs, and Messrs Biexey, M’Carthy, Atkins, Waters, Sarony, and Kelly, and Hesdemoiselles St. Marc, Esmond, Leslie, and Dubois concluded the programme witn “ Casey, the Piper,” an Irish sketch of a very clever and humorous character. The performance lasted till a quarter to six 0 cloc » and the greatest credit is due to the stage manager, MV George Atkins, for the manner in which the lengthy programme was go* through, and to the amusement committee, Messrs Frost, Davis, Leopold, and D Orsay Ogden for its very satisfactory success. - word of praise is also due to Professors > Ghele and Clough, and to the orchestra for the manner in which the musical portion the programme had been selected, ana *»* executed. When the 0.M.1. again *PP°? , the public in aid of their benevolent f the reputation which the performance of ia» Saturday will have secured for their taste ami management, should lessen materially 3 necessity for canvassing for an audience.

THEATHS KOYAL. . On Saturday night there was * T ? (1 houesat the Theatre Boyal, conMfJemg miserable state of the weather. ThsjJJ* 1 rMUanee mi Byron’s “ Our Bpyathis ths excellent rendering of the role Pedtyn Middlswiok and Mary Melrose, bj Mr w. Horace Idagard and Mhs, ‘ langard respeotirely are too well kno ~ require mention here. Mr Charles Cra« played Charles Middlowiok with average* oess. Mr George Leopold g»re the worJs« the r6lt qt Sir Geoffrey Ohampney* ** characteristic carefulness and apprpP . niaketup, but wit somewhat wonting dignity of bearing. Mr 0. \Y. TTariwr not equal, as Talbot Champneys, J some ot b predecessors in the pari on the Obnstch stage, , -but on the whole was moderately successful. Miss Woold»dge|? * Wsisilit Violet Melrose, and-M« * £ made an excellent character skc Ohampneys. Miss MarionMelrose hosnem the rtfs ot Belinda. The come J *s* M; bertlly enjoyed as ever, ““‘J. ij4«oitk* 'fiMona act, as well as <h thi.piees!, tha cortsm had

■ruaedi in response to the loud applause. The performance' concluded with aA9Wa epmo > oneretta by G. Operti, entitled . V ILadrpm. Hr Lingard imperßonated- a retired greengrocer jn search of pictureaque,: IhcT while travelling hj bandits, and.i f told that,v.lw« marry the widow ofltbeir deceased captain, » difficulty in the way is ,tlmt ihf w alwady married. To add to the peiylornty iof hia. position, he is compelled to .pfoye hri riigi* faity for the post pft- WptaTO.hy robbing single-handed the first ■ travellerrhe . meets. The traveHer proves his,\»ifei) »lfO :iB, terribly frightened at the truoulent appearance her husband, whea disguised-bp the bandits, presents. The p*ir are rescued from the unpleasant position, they are TO. by the timely arrival of troops who.surround the. bandits, and insist upon their joinmg.the army as their only means of escaping death.' -the offer is accepted, and .the , piece i ends,; Mr Lingard was quite in his element as Mr, figg,. the greengrocer, and sang_several buffo!songs, with great Bpirit. Miw TUanon* W Ines, queen of the dLadrpni,: ta&NPWft *«T ‘ pretty airs, to’ f sing,:-and <WWi WWa; f«yi nicely. The chorus and, : orchestra werp quite ' up tq the mark, and contributed .not a, little:, to make the operetta deoidedly. successM-; To-night the wmeptograntote willAqogtosn,. and to-morrow .Bftiiricw :.oti^eciT r - “Engaged," with iMiaavLingard as. Behnda.Treherne, will be produced, J ■) GAIETY TiIbATBEW v.; | v ; Friday night’s. progmuMUe. was tepeated at i . this theatre on evening ttOi W email ‘ audience. To-night the; troupe appeacfor the last time but two. . ii. .:-;3doil vM ! **•'"