AMUSEMENTS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 772, 17 December 1886, Page 13

AMUSEMENTS.

final performance of Messrs Leitch and Macmahon’s Company took place at the Opera House last evening week, when “ The Librarian ” was played for Mr George Leitch’s benefit. There was a very large audience, all parts of the house being well filled. The performance went off with great success, Mr Leitch’s representation of the Rev Robert Sparerib being irresistibly funny. His Excellency the Governor and suite were present. Up to the present time no arrangements have been made for performances at either of the theatres during the Christmas season. It is probable, however, that-Mr'F. M. Willmott, the well-known manager, wiil make arrangements for a season here during the holidays. An exceedingly enjoyable musical and dramatic entertainment by the pupils of St Mary’s Convent and High School took place at the Convent Monday evening, in the presence of tbeir parents and. friends. The examination at the Convent began last Monday, and will finish with the distribution of prizes tomorrow afternoon, and in the evening programmes have been arranged by the Sisters to show the proficiency which their pupils have attained in music (vocal and instrumental), declamation, &c. The audience last evening filled to overflowing the large schoolroom, which was decorated in a highly artistic manner. Among the visitors were the Right Rev Dr Redwood, Bishop of Wellington, the Rev Fathers McNamara, Kerrigan, and Sauzeau, Dr Grace, M.L.C., Mrs Grace and Miss Grace, Mr Robt. Hart, M.L.C., and Mrs Hart, Mr P. A. Buckley, M.L.C., and Mrs Buckley, and Dr. Cahill. The programme consisted of an operetta by Franz Abt, entitled “ Jorinda and Jorindel.” and a comedietta, “ Cinderella and the Glass Slipper, or Pride Punished,” both of which were given by the young ladies who took part in them in a highly creditable manner. The programme opened with an overture by Gurlett, arranged for two pianos, played by the Misses Ledger and M. Cimino (first piano), and Misses L. Scully and Truman (second piano). This was followed by the operetta, in which the following young ladies took part ; —Jorindel (shepherd boy), Miss Lottie McDonald ; Jorinda (his sister), Miss L. Toxward; Wicked Fairy, Miss L. Scully ; Wood Nymph, Miss J. McDonald ; chorus of Nymphs, singing olass ; chorus of Elves, junior pupils. The manner in which it was given was most creditable, when it is taken into conßidera-

] tion that the greater number of the girls who took part in it were mere children, the various songs, duets, and choruses being sung with an attention to time which showed the care which the Sisters must have taken with the little performers. It was followed by pinaoforte solos by the Misses M. Cimino and Ledger, “The harp that once thro’ Tara’s Halls,” and “The Moonbeams,” both of which were enthuiastically - applauded. The next item was a piano duet by the senior pupils, “ Concordantia ” Andante el Allegro (Ascher), the instrumentalists being Misses J. McDonald and Chavannes (first piano), and the Misses _ Ledger and Laery (second piano). This piece was played by the young ladies with much crispness and brilliancy. The entertainment was concluded by the comedietta, in which the principal parts were taken by the following .—The Prince, Miss H. Gudgeon ; Muley, an officer of the court, Miss J. Reid ; the Baroness, Miss O’Connor; Utrica and Charlotte, daughters of the Baroness, Misses Blake and Cullinane ; Cinderella, step, daughter of the Baroness, Miss Wright ; fairy, Cinderella’s godmother, Miss Rowe. In this the honors were shared, by Misses Gudgeon, O’Connor, Wright, and Rowe, little Miss Wright being the recipient of several floral tributes, and gaining/ much applause for her acting.. * The entertainment altogether was very successful. The concert given at the Theatre Royal by the members of the Loyal Antipodean Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., on Tuesday evening, in aid of the orphans of thelate Mr Elvin, was very well attended, and passed off satisfactorily. In the first part of the concert Messrs J. W. Hill, Ellison, Lyon, Clark, and Todd, Masters Murray and F. A. King, Mesdames Mackintosh and Parsons, and Miss Stanford took part. Subsequently a capital little Christy Minstrel performance was given, in which Messrs Munt and Holly especially distinguished themselves. A Mignon piano was lent for the occasion. Previous to the concert the Hibernian Band, under Bandmaster Dean, headed a procession to the ; Theatre. The members of the Lodge deserve great credit for the manner in which they have come to the relief of the family of a deceased brother Oddfellow. A very successful concert was given in St John’s Schoolroom Tuesday night in aid of the Mount Cook School prize fund. There was a very good, attendance, the room being well filled. Several of Mr Hautrie West’s pupils took part in the concert, and acquitted themselves very creditably. An attractive programme of vocal and instrumental items' was performed, and gave great satisfaction, almost every item being encored. Mr J. E. Read contributed two recitations daring the evening, and was loudly applauded for both efforts. The programme presented was as follows:—Overture, “Marionettes,” Band; song, “ True till death,” Mr Ingram ; piano duet, “ Qui vive,” Miss Myers and Mr West ; recitation, “Eugene Aram,” Mr J. E. Read; song, “Auntie,” Miss Cherrett; cornet solo, “Tout ala joi,” Master P. vocal duct, “ Row., weel my boatie,” Miss Steele and Mr Wilson; piano solo, “Voices of the past,” Miss Dugdale; selection, “March rux Flambeaux,” Band ; song, “ The lovetide,” Miss Warren; piano solo, -“The woodlands,” Miss Booth ; recitation, “The fireman’s love,” Mr J. E. Read ; violin solo, “Hope told a flattaring tale,” Miss Dugdale ; song, “Song of a nest,” Miss Cherrett; piano solo, '“ The light of other days,” Miss Myers ; song, “ Jessie’s drehm,” Mr Wilson; song, “ Message from the King,” Mr Ingram. Mr Hautrie West officiated as condnctor. It is expected that the proceeds will considerably augment the prize fund. Another highly successful musical and dramatic entertainment took place at the Sisters of Mercy’s Convent, Hill-street, on Tuesday night. The entertainment was by the senior, pupils of the convent, and the young ladies who took part iu it, a 3 well as their teachers, must be congratulated upon the admirable manner in which they acquitted themselves. Half-past 7 was the time announced for the entertainment to open, but sometime before that the schoolroom was crowded. The Right Rev Bishop Redwood and the Rev Fathers Le Menant des Chesnais, McNamara, McKenna, and Moore were present. The programme was opened with a march, “ Follow my leader,” arranged as a duet for two pianos, by the Misses Lottie McDonald, J. Reid, L. Koch, and Wright, which was well received. The Misses L. Scully and McCaffrey followed with a French recitation, “Le Conqudrant et le Vieillard.” This item was very well given, the accent being particularly good, and the young ladies getting an enthusiastic round of applause. The song “My Molly Asthore ” (by Lavenu) was very sweetly sung by Miss M. Cimino, who was recalled, but did not respond. This young lady possesses a good contralto voice, and shows evidence of careful training. The feature of the entertainment, a drama entitled “Mary Queen of Scots,” next followed, in which the principal characters wera taken by tbe Misses Laery (Elizabeth), O. Redwood (Mary Stewart), N. Cimino (Lord Burleigh), L. Seully (Earl of Shrewsbury), B. Heywood (Earl of Kent), M. ..Cimino (Sir AmiasFaulet, and Miss Casev (Janet Kennedy). The acting of the pisses Redwood and Laery as the Queens of Scotland and England, and of the Misses L. Scully and N. Cimino, as the Ministers of Elizabeth, showed great care in the study of their parts. The applause was frequent and prolonged, and the leading performers were literally stormed with bouquets. In the intervals between the acts musical selections were given as follow :—Marche Impdriate” (Dorn), duet arranged for two pianos, first piano Misses J. Reid and D. Heywood, second piano Misses Lottie McDonald and Marie O’Shea; “Bonnie Scotland,” solo on two pianos, firstpiano, Miss Ledger, second piano Miss Laery; “Les Adieux de Marie Stuart ” (Niedermeyer), piano solo, Miss J. McDonald; “Goodnight,” solo and quartet, Misses J. Skerrett, M. Cimino, J. McDonald, and Lottie McDonald.