ST. LUKE'S ENTERTAINMENT.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8089, 29 September 1894, Page 3

ST. LUKE'S ENTERTAINMENT.

Tho porformanco last night took placo before an audionco which, if not large, was sufficiently onthusiastio, and wo trust roproaonted sufficient money to enable the managomant to hand ovor n substantial sum to tho surplico fund. Tho performers as a wholo aro fco bo congratulated on allowing a marked improvomonb all round, while tho stage management wont;, as usual whoro Mr Towsey is responsible, without a hitch. Mr Waymouth was in better voico than on Thursday night, and gave "Simon the Cellarer " in capital stylo, whilo tho illustrative tableaux woro highly offoctive. Mr M'Laron'a song, •* Tho Better Land," was oxcollontly rondorcd, and was accompanied by perhaps the bost sot of pictures of tho evening, Tho addition in tho last of an angel, of a charmingly colostial character, was a decided improvement, and the honors of tho encoro must be considered as divided between tho singor and thoso who took part in tho representation, Miss Gravo and Mr Towsoy gavo a most dramatic rendoirng of '* The Gipsy Countess," the duot Doing really admirably sung, and tho performors most effectively costumed. An oncoro was demanded for this item also. Mrs Gould sang •* Sho Woro a Wreath of Itosoa " with much tasto and oxprossion. "Homo, Boye, Home," wag tho noxb aong, ami .brought down fcho house with the etirring chorus. This was follovrod by a song by Miss Grave of which wo have not tho namo, Miss Grave's rendering was admirable, and wo luvo nevor had tho pleasure of hearing her to better advantage. Mr M'Kinnon concluded tho flret part with "Rocked in tho Cradle of tho Deep.' 1 In tho second part, "Trial by Jury," it was that tho company as a wholo distinguished itself — from start to finiah the opera ran without a hitch. Mr Probert as the loamod judgo was exceedingly clover, his by-play being both humorous and spontaneous, Tho Ushor of the Court controlled his very orratio and trying jury with tho same firmness that distinguished him tho previous night, and he ovidontly had tho foreman completely cowed, Mr Towsey as tho dofondanb did vory good work with a somewhat trying p»rt, and almost won ono jury, that which consisted of tho audience, over to his side. Tho Counsol wero naturally good — no doubt their briofs wore marked in three figures. Wo have lofu to tho last tho ladies— ungallant as it may appear, but words tail us whon wo try to describo tho beautiful plaintifl. She sang must movingly, sho looked bewitching, and wo deeply sympathised with judgo and jury in the admiration that who rouHed in their manly bosoms. The damages should have boon jndoed exemplary. In conclusion, wo muafc congratulate St. Jjuko's Church on having secured Mr Towsey's sorvicoa, for certainly without him a very pleasant, and wo trust profitable, evening could scarcely havo boon carriod through.