ONEHUNGA CHORAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7513, 17 December 1885, Page 5

ONEHUNGA CHORAL SOCIETY.

THIS newly-constituted society gave a rather ambitious programme at the new Public Hall last night, selecting for their o>but Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera, '"The Pirates of Penzanue , " There was a very large audience, the handsome and commodious hall being crowded, aud ainotmst those present were the Hou. Colonel Sir G. Whitmore, Colonel Lyon, Major Shepherd, Major Mahoii. Hon. Captain Herr Sohmitt, Captaiu Lundon, Captain Haaee, Lieutenant Webb, Dr. Scott (Mayor of Onehuuga), Sir G. M. O'Korke, M.H.R., Dr. Leper Krsou, &c. The hall is entirely now, and is fitted with a lino commodious and deep stage, with suitable Bet scenes and handsome proscenium, anil a drop scene representing the port of Ouehunga and its surroundings, with t:ie Mangere bridge in the centre. The r:*ll is fitted with elaborate- gas littincs, but aa no gas is yet available, kerosene lamps have to do duty in the meantime. The opera was excellently staged in regard to dreuses and scenery, anil it wee evident that a great deal of attention had bceu paid to rehearsals, many of the choruses being given with a good deal of fidelity. It is not necessary, nor indeed would it be fair, on tho occasion of tho first performance of a new society to criticise the merits of the individual performers too closely, and we have no doubt improvement* will be effected in future entertainments. Of courso, there was the inevitable stiffness inherent to amateur entertainments. Dr. W. R. Erson made up and acted the part of Maior-General Stanley with a good deal of verve. Miss Gurr made a capital Mabel, but the most effective character in the whole oast was that of Ruth as played and sun;; by Misa Dickey. She not only thoroughly appreciated the part, but threw herself into it with the greatont nhani/oit, and gained for herself warm expressions of applause. Mr. Walrond as tho pirate king dressed the part admirably, and sang with a fair amount of success. Mr. Aepinall as the lieutenant eang very well, but the gentleman who was cast in the role of Frederic was out of place, his representation being lifeless, and in addition to this he appeared to be suffering from a cold. However, the andience w»n not disposed to bo critical, and the entertainment appeared to afford great satisfaction, showers of bouquets being poured on the singers at frequent intervals.