BENEFIT CONCERT.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 8121, 18 March 1887, Page 6

BENEFIT CONCERT.

At the Oddfellows’ Hafl last night, a grand concert and dramatic representation was given in aid of the band fund of the Christchurch Catholic Literary Society. There was a very large attendance, but the audience was most orderly, and in this respect showed a marked contrast to audiences on former similar occasions.

The concert comprised the following numbers:—A selection of Irish airs, very nicely executed by an orchestra under the direction of Mr H. Fleming; the songs, “Killarney,” “Loving Evermore,” and,as au encore, “ Rory O’More,” sung by Madam Drew, with, that attention to the niceties of expression for which she is noted; the national melody, “ The Harp that Once,” and the ballad, “Three Jolly Sailor Boys,” given with great success by Mr Ray; the beautiful and characteristic “ Eileen Allanah,” to which justice was done by Miss Pender; a couple of most laughable comic songs, by Mr Price; and a violin solo, which was loudly applauded, by Mr Skelton. At the close of the concert Mr Lonargan, President of the Literary Society, thanked the audience for their patronage, and announced that the parish priest. Father Ginaty, had been unable to attend, but signified his approval of the object for which the concert was given, by forwarding a cheque for two guineas. Mr Lonargan further stated that the band about to be formed would be strictly amateur, their services not being procurable, on any pretext, for hire, and that the young men comprising it would not be called upon to pay anything. ~,,,, ... The first part concluded with a sailor s hornpipe, danced remarkably well by Mr E. Bagley. Part the second consisted of “ The Irish Attorney,”a farcical comedy in two acts, the characters in which were fairly sustained by Messrs J. Bagley, W. Geoghegan, H. M'Donnell, J. Dobbs. J. Hexmeasy, C. Cuming, and J. M Kay. The stage management was in the hands of Mr E, P. Houlihan, who ably fulfilled his duties. . - /