MESSRS. KOHLER & BENT'S ENTERTAINMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 226, 12 January 1877, Page 2

MESSRS. KOHLER & BENT'S ENTERTAINMENT.

e Last night 'this company gave their first entertainment in Oamaru, and it was a most unqualified success ; the Hall was well filled, and the audience showed a most hearty* appreciation of the amusement placed before them. Mr. Holder's performance throughout was something wonderful ; whether playing on bras 3 or reed instruments, his articulation was clear and his fingering excellent. One marked

peculiarity'" obtained in all his pieces, -which was that, although only, the piano, drum and cymbals, and the comet or flageolet were played together, the idea was forced on the mind, of the listener that a full band was performing, not on account of the noise, be it understood, for everything was played softly, but on account of the way in which all the instruments harmonised together. The overture to "Scmiramicle," the commencement of the second part, was a perfect masterpiece in its way, Mr. Kohler playing alternately the cornet and flageolet, the former of w 1 i ich, by its distinct tone, forcibly reminded us of some of the performances of Levy, the resemblance between the two being rendered still more striking by that most difficult-operation known as "donblctojiguing,'" which was perfectly rendered by Mr. Kohl ft. The music evoked from the " Tumbleronicon" was of the sweetest description, the harmony in the duet on that instrument by Messrs. Kohler and "Wand being perfect. The " Nightingale Polka," played by Mr. Kohler, was a pretty piece "well performed, and the sing-ing-bird oblirjato, which ran through it, much added to the effect. The last feat of playing the side-drum with one hand only, and with it evolving a perfect rvulude, was astonishing, and must be seen to be credited. Sir. Bent, as usual, was most amusing, and his ii Mj-stic Changes" in the first part wore very cleverly done. His Dutch sketches caused roars of laughter, which remark will also apply to Ids French and Irish. One of the latter, •'' Ivluldoon, the Politician," was excellent, and the smug, self-satisScd air of the low class Parliament man was true to the life. The ".School-Boy" and •'•' Lady-Killer" were both excolknt pieces of acting, the song "Moods and Tenses," accompanying the former, being very clever. We may say, in fact, that Mr. B-..life's talents arc of the most versatile order, and he is as naimal in one character as in another. Mr. V.'aud. the pianist, played a fine solo on the violin-cello, for which he was deservedly encored, and his rendition of " Molly Darling," in response, was a mngnilicjut piece of instrumentation. His piano playing through the evening was worthy of cwry praise. Taking the entertainment altogether, we think it one of the best winch lias ever visited Oamaru, and sill those who did not go last night ! should avail themsel'-'cs of tiie opportunity I of going either to-night or to-morrow : " s ob" ________