THE HOSKINS-CHARBONNET ENTERTAINMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 890, 21 February 1879, Page 2

THE HOSKINS-CHARBONNET ENTERT AINMENT.

j We have endeavored almost in vain to ' discover a reason for the small attendance j at the entertainment given in the Volunj teer Hall last evening by Mr, W\ Hoskins, Mdlle. 01u\vb,onnet, "and company. The ! only explanation of the circumstance that j we can arrive at is that the public object to attending amusements in the wretched hall which now does duty. Be the reason what it may, it is a matter for regret that the entertainment was not more liberally patronised last evening, for the performance was decidedly one of the best that we have ever witnessed in Oamaru. To hear Mddlle. -Charbonnet play her delightful pianoforte solos is a treat of the first order, and to the cultivated musical mind would alone be well worth the price of admisi sion. Without wishing in the least to i make invidious comparisons, Mdlle. Charj bonnet may fairly be classed with such ! jnaaiaks as Madame Arabella Goddard j and Madame Tasca, both of whom have j been favored in this Colony with crowded ! and delighted audiences. Mdlle. Char- | bonnet is still a very young lady, but as a : pianiste she has but few rivals. The j manner in which she performed Thalberg's difficult scena, the Prayer from " Mose'," at once displayed the possession of a soul for music and cultivated ideas. Every n?f? vas played with the fullest appreciation of the meaning of the great composer from whose pen this glorious piece of music came. Weber's " Polonaise Brilliante," although belonging to, a widely different class of was also exquisitely rendered, being marked by a brilliancy of touch, a finish of execution, and an' attention to light and shade seldpm combined in a, single pianjst r For both solos Mdlle, Oba,rbannet"wfts and graciously responded to the first recall with " Home, Sweet Home," arranged for the left hand, and to the second with a brilliant galop. Mr. Hoskins first appeared in a scene from Sheridan's glorious comedy " The School for Scandal," and to those |

who have for many years past seen him in the character it is needless to say that Mr. Hoskins' acting was perfection. The veteran has lost none of his cunning, and is as pleasing as ever. Miss Tilly Andrews, who has wonderfully improved since we last saw her, gave a very correct rendering of Lady Teazle, and with Mr. Hoskins kept the audience thoroughly amused. The same remarks also hold good in reference to the brilliant little gem, "The Conjugal Lesson," in which Mr. Hoskins and Miss Tilly Andrews again appeared to great advantage, and kept the audience in a continuous state of amusement. During the concert portion of the entertainment, Mr. J. W. Marshall, whose name may be remembered as the celebrated basso of the original Christy Minstrels, sung in splendid style "Nancy Lee," and " Wrecked and Saved," for both of which he was vociferously encored. Miss Tilly Andrews was also compelled by the enthusiastic audience to repeat some of her ballads. The recital by Mr. W. Hoskins of that grand Shakespearian delineation, " Mark Anthony's Oration over the dead body of Julius Ccesar" fully brought to the fore the marvellous powers of elocution for which the great tragedian is so justly celebrated. This evening there will be an entire change of programme, and to-morrow will bo the last appearance of Mr. Hoskins and Mcllle. Charbonnet. The veteran actor is engaged at the biggest figure ever paid to an artist south of the Line to star Australia for a few months previous to his final departure for Europe. Mdlle. Charbonnet goes to Sydney, to fulfil a short engagement there, whero she has been retained at LfiO a night, and from New South Wales she returns to London.