Concert and Drama.

Opunake Times, Volume III, Issue 122, 3 September 1895, Page 2

Concert and Drama.

Unfortunately the rain came on on Saturday evening and spoiled what otherwise would have been a big attendance at the concert and dramatic entertainment, given in the Town Hall in aid of the Anglican Church funds. As it was the hall was comfortably filled, and what the audience lacked in numbers was made up in enthusiasm, although not quite so profitable. The programme opened with a selection “Yaterland,” by the Opunake String Band, under Conductor Cummins, which was well received. Mr Morey then sang “My Queen,” for which he received an enthusiastic recall, and in response gave “ Croquet,” very humorously. A pianoforte solo by Miss Walford followed, which was executed iu quite an artistic manner, and received -well merited applause. The Rev J. W. Chapman sang “ The Gauntlet ” and “ The Bugler,” to both of which he did full justice. A duet, “ The Two Cousins,” by Misses Tait and Prosser, was very well rendered, and in response to a vociferous encore they bowed their acknowledgments. Mr Breach sang “ I fear no foe ” very spiritedly, and it was certainly one of his best efforts. The String Band contributed another selection, “ Somer Regen,” during the interval.

The second part consisted of a comedietta, in which a young and fascinating widow, Letfcy Hawthorne, is engaged to a young man, brother to May (the Little Sentinel). The widow indulges in a little harmless flirtation with two admirers—an elderly ladykiller, Mr Wheedleton Coaxer, and a Captain of Dragoons, Captain Courtington. These two being rivals for the widow's favors are naturally sworn enemies to each other. They each make appointments with the widow, but May, who is guarding the widow’s affections on behalf of her brother, intercepts, and by flattering their vanity succeeds in getting them to forego their appointments with the widow and make assignations with her instead. May also has a lover, Sim, a county bumpkin, with a very decided objection to these fine gentry fluttering round, as in his jealousy he anticipates they are trying to secure May’s affections. May and Sim fall out, and Sim gives way to very genuine grief, but is comforted by the widow, who, being disappointed by her aristocratic lovers, sets her cap at him. Mrs Morey, in the role of “ the Little Sentinel,” was extremely clever in her part, and created great amusement by her methods of nipping in the bud the declarations of love of the widow’s two admirers, and ultimately winning their attentions to herself. Miss Pairman, as the fascinating widow, acted the part with ease and grace. Mr Kilgonr, the elderly lady-killer, was very well made up, and acted his part very spiritedly. Mr Harper, as the Captain of Dragoons, with the straw-colored whiskereses, looked the character to perfection, and as a lack-a-daisical lover was quite the admiration of all the young ladies in the hall. Mr Morey, as Sim, the country bumpkin, w:s a first-class representation, and quite equal to any we have heretofore seen. He kept the audience in roars of laughter throughout the performance, bis reappearance on every occasion being quite sufficient to renew the merriment. He pourtrayed the character with all its comicalities without introducing any vulgarisms, which is the failing of most who essay this class of character. At the conclusion all those taking part had to appear before the curtain, the audience being thoroughly .pleased with the entertainment.