MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT AT THE PUBLIC HALL.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8088, 28 September 1894, Page 3

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT AT THE PUBLIC HALL.

The entertainment givon in l-ho Public HaJI l»»8l evening was almost a» novol as ft wfta interesting. Thoro had been confildorablo inventive genius diHphiyod in tho mounting nnd dnwlng of thoso addenda that gave chmaotov and piquancy to tho rendering of tho solos in the first part ; while tho wfiy in which tho comic opera was staged for tho socond p»rt was highly complimentary to tho creative nnd dramatic talent of tho musical director, Mr JE, Towsoy. Mr Towaey brings a large amount of verve ftnd industrious ability to tho production of any work ho may undorlike, and ib was on this ability and energy th»t so much of tho success of Jaat evening's ontertain« mont depondod. It is truo tint tho performnnco was an amateur one, and it would bo unfair and unjust to measure ib by that utandard of excellence by which tho performances of professionals pro gauged or judged. To tho criticism of such a performance eomo charity and ft Urge sense of appreciation is usually brought, and viewing the performance in fchoflo lights it can only bo regarded as one which was highly creditable to all concerned , overlooking Bomo dolnys, tho entertainment was thoroughly enjoyable fro tho largo audience. So much for tho entertainment in a eenoral way. Tho music wan porformed by highly capable mumohno, and this remark applies to tho vocal as well as tho instrumental part, which was aa montionod, under tho direction of Mr Towaey, Miss Sumpter boing pianiete, and Mr T, Kemshod loador of tho orcheBtra. Illus •rating vooal oolo'j by tablonux waa a happy thought, and tho nudionco wore greatly aided to a fuller conception of tho song by those living piciurof. This was notably the caoo in '• Simon the Oelhror," Mr Weymottth ; <4 Tho Bottor Land" (encored), Mr M'Lwfn ; and "She wore a Wreath of liosoe," a,lso onoored, Mra (irould. Tho other boIo, gracefully illus* trafced with ch-iracberistic accompaniment, wan Misfl Ilo«*dland'a "FJowor Girl," which waa warrely received and as warmly oncorod 5 and tho duet, "Tho Gipsy Oountona," by Miss L. Grave and Mr E. Towaoy. Thiu duet was sung with dramatic force and attontion to detail, and wag enthusiastically received. The singers, who were in costume, bowed their acknowledgements, Mit-H N, Hardy, who has been away from Odtmaru for 'flomo months, was heard to splondid advantugo in " Jioauties Eyes," and tho audience marked their ap|)roci»tion in a manner that must have boon gratifying to the vocalist. Tho interval over, Gilbert arid Sullivan'a " Triril by .fury " was produced in a manner that wag thoroughly enjoyed. The leading characters and I ho learned Judge — tho merilM of whoso performance could not be too lavishly praised—performed their parts with all that spirit which ehowed they had entered zealously into tho opera, and had undergone sufficient rohoarsnl to render their performance as accoptablo as it was entertaining. The case was a breach of promise one, and the Plaintift (MisM Headland) and tho Dofendatit (Mr Towjoy) fulfilled their roles with marked ability, arrl a word of praiso is duo to Mr Laurenson for his excellont representation of CounbcI for tho J'laintiff. Much mirth was provoked by tho Usher (Mr M'Kinnon), but the climax in tho capo ia reached by the Judge, who attor rotoring tlio l^lairn tifl from a fainting condition, settles tho case by " marrying her himself," and tho curtain wan rung down on a happy performance. Tho opera was splendidly staged, and tho costumes and dresses Were befitting and elogant. The performance will bo repeated this evening, and thoso who win,h a pleasing cnfcortainmont will doubtless bo present,