Anglican Church Conversazione.

Opunake Times, Volume IV, Issue 189, 26 June 1896, Page 2

Anglican Church Conversazione.

Unfortunately icr the financial success of the above the wetAber proved very boisterous and wet on Tuesday evening, preventing u large number of country people and others from attending who would otherwise have been there. An excellent programme had been prepared, and during the interval refreshments on a liberal scale were handed round the room. The programme opened with an overture by the String Baud, which was spiritedly played. The Band also played another item at the conclusion of the programme. Mr Dallimore sang “ Queen of the Earth ” and “ The Star of Bethlehem,” both of which were well rendered aM very favorably received. Miss Walford and Mr Dallimore contributed a duet, in which their voices blended very nicely. Mrs V. Harrison sang “ Caller Herrin’ ” (in character; and was the recipient of very pronounced applause. Mr Breach rendered that fine old song “ The Bugler” in his usual masterful manner, and narrowly escaped an encore. Master C, Feaver made his initial bow to an Opunake audience, and sang very nicely “My Darling Clementine.” Miss Dobson, who is also a new arrival in the district, contributed a pianoforte solo, “ The Chase,” which she played with taste and precision. She is "a decided acquisition to our limited musical circle. Mr Walter Read was accorded a right royal reception on making his appearance, and sang “ My Sweetheart when a Boy,” for which he was encored, and responded, repeating the last verse. A pianoforte duet by Master and Miss Humphries brought the first part of the programme to a close. Whilst refreshments were being partaken of the stage was fitted up as a drawing-room for the duologue, “Blobbs’s Widow.” Blobbs was a wealthy tallow chandler who had married a young and charming but penniless lady, and in course of time Blobbs was called away to keep company with his forefathers, leaving all his wealth to his still young and charming wife. The Hon. Augustus Mainwaring, of aristocratic descent, but minus the goods of this world, seeks an interview with a view to proposing a union with her money, principally. When the Hon. Augustus calls Mrs Blobbs receives him, but passes herself off as her lady companion, Miss Herbert, with whom Augustus falls madly in love, and to escape his advances retires, shortly after reappearing as a vulgar grand dame, and so shocks Augustus by her many vulgarities that be decides ho must forego the tallow chandler’s wealth at the price, and the widow' leaves in high dudgeon. As Augustus is about to retire discomfitted, Mrs Blobbs on the scene again as Miss Herbert,And after explanations all ends happily. Mrs Morey in the dual character of Blobbs’s widow and Miss Herbert represented her parts excellently, and in the former especially created continuous merriment by her matrimo uial advances, on business lines, to the Hon. Augustus. The change of dress and character was so perfect that very few were aware but that they Were two distinct persons. Mr Morey, as the Hon. Augustus Mainwaring, acted his pare with great spirit, and received repeated applause throughout. Tile dilemmas in which he managed to place himself in trying to reconcile his heart to his pocket produced great amusement. During the piece he sang in very finished stylo “ My Life for Thee,’-’ which was quite a treat. At the conclusion of the scene Mr and Mrs Morey, in answer to a vociferous recall, appeared before the curtain and bowed their acknowledgments. A pianoforte solo by Miss Walib’d followed. Her brilliant execution produced prolonged applause, and an imperative encore was demanded, to which she gracefully responded. Mrs Ballard and Mr Breach rendered a duet. “ Take Care,” very pleasingly, and were loudly applauded. The Rajah of Bavrampore - was the next on the scene, and created considerable amusement. Although in Oriental costume he proved to be a very finished elocutionist, and had to respond to a recall. Although the Raj Mi did not favor our reporter with his card we have a shrewd suspicion that he had received his elocutionary training from Mrs Feaver. Mr Webb contributed a cornet solo, Miss Walford accompanying him on the piano. His rendering of the item was well received, and he had to respond to a recalL Mr Bowers and Mrs Harrison sang (he favorite duet. “ What arc the wild waves saying,” which was very well received. Miss Dobson, Miss Walford, and Miss Taylor kindly assisted in the various items by playing the accompaniments.