MISS REEVES' ENTERTAINMENT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4, 13 March 1903, Page 2

MISS REEVES' ENTERTAINMENT.

Tho Theatre Royal was crowded) laist evening to witness an entertainment arramged by Miss H. Reeves in, aid af the • funds of the Nelson Institute. It was thoroughly successful, and To Miss Reeves and all those who took part in the affair the highest praise is due. . Every item on the programme was good, the first partbeing- especially: so. The programme was opened with an overture, "Ros© Queen," by the orchestra, after which the curtain, rang up,' and a chorus of gipsy girls daintily attired, rendered a tuneful chorus "Gipsy Life," two of the chorus disporting themselves in front of the others with fortunetelling cards. The scenery available was well suited for the occasion, and the audience thoroughly relished the openin,-r- piece. The only noticeable fault that could be found wais that the voices were inclined to be weak, but that did not "deter the audience from enthusiastic applause. Miss Fell, Mrs Burnes amd Mr Maginnity followed with a laugh iive; trio, which was deservedly encored. Mis**- Jacobs came next with a song entitled, "The Ciipsy," a sweet little melody, which was well sung, and earned a pretty bouquet in addition to an encore. The next, item was a cachucha by Misses Wright (two), Lightfoot and Igglesden, who danced with precision, and infused much grace into their manoeuvering. The quartette were dressed in buttercup and blue skirts with white blouses, and as coloured limelight was thrown on 'the stage the effect was very pleasing to the audience, and each performer was presented with a bouquet. Miss Fell's rich soprano voice did full justice to the song, "The Fortune Teller," and the fair singer had to respond to a vociferous encore, Mr C. M. Blake danced a sailor's hornpipe with much taste, and was also encored. The next item was a march by the gipsies, and the various evolutions which the performers went through were a treat to watch, and deserving of much praise The chorus who took part ip it comprised Misses Sadd, V. Leggatt, Perrin, Mercer, Flett (two), Cresswell, Smith, Moore, Redgrave, W. Hanby, Burford, Edwards (two), Moymhan. This was followed by a costume duet, "The Japanese Umbrellas," by Misses I. Topliss and Robinson, was undoubtedly a feature of the performing. Both these young ladies, tastefully, and the acting was distastefully, and the acting was distinctly clever, and both well deserved an encore, as well as the bouquets presented them. Misses Redworth, Oa key and Spear, gave ■an exhibition of living statuary which was cleverly done, and the performers were spontaneously apI lauded after each representation. The first part of the programme concluded with a song ent tied, "The Fascinating Fan," by Miss Fell, which also scored an encore.

The second part of the entertainment comprised a comedietta as well as an amusine: farce which were capitally portrayed. The comedietta, which was described as "A Frightful Frost," does not, possess any particularly strikingly literary merit hut is responsible for much mirth from start tn finish. Mr J B. Harrison (Mr Watnuff), Mr A. P. Burnes ("Ferdinand .Swift), Mr D Edwards (Waller Li.horland), Miss Tl. Reeves (Mrs Wainnff), and Miss j T. Topliss (Emily) all fulfilled their ! parts- meritoriously. The farce was entitled, "A Quiet Little Dinner," and kept the audience in, laughter, the original acting as displaced by Messrs De Ton ret te 1 aid C. Hamilton beinp superb. Others who took part in the farce were Misses Lee-gat t, N. Reeves, H. Cole Mrs P. Topliss, and Mr F. Gully' Miss Webb-Bowen officiated ably as pianist*, and the orchestra under her comprised Misses M Shone Jacobs (two), Messrs Trussell' Jacota° od ' Kershaw * Graham and The entertainment will he repeatattrw eVe ", X*, a * d "0 doubt Will attract another large audience.