The Cadzow Family.

Opunake Times, Volume V, Issue 199, 31 July 1896, Page 2

The Cadzow Family.

The above talented combination made its first appearance before an Opunake audience on Wednesday evening last, and despite the fearful weather was greeted with a good house. The anticipations formed were amply borne out. We do not remember ever having seen in the Opunake Town Hall before, so enthusiastic and at the same so orderly an audience. Mr Cadzow is evidently an admirable entertainer, otherwise he would never have been able to so thoroughly fill the bill. An announcement that there would only be three pei formers might cause Eome to think that the show itself would not be worth much; if there were any such in the Hall on Wednesday evening they were most agreeably disappointed. They are few in number but they are all good and the entertainment so varied in character as to please all. The entertainment is unique, and we can say unhesitatingly that so far as this town is concerned absolutely unparalleled. The voices are of high professional quality, the songs and instrumental selections excellent, and in the Fisk Jubilee Hyms and plantation songs the harmony is something to be remembered. Madame Cadzow contributed as piano solos, a transcription of the " Wearing of the Green " (Pape), a fantasia on " Scottish Airs " (Sivrai), and Kowlaski's March Hongroise. Madame Cadzow's perfect mastery of the pianoforte was the theme of wonderment. Madame Cadzow is the most brilliant and cultured pianiste that has ever visited Opunake. Her solos were a rare treat and aroused considerable enthusiasm. Her accompaniments were also greatly enjoyed, and displayed a command of technique, expression, execution and taste very seldom met with. The lady is a native of Blenheim and daughter of Mr W. H. Harris, who was for twenty years headmaster- of the Picton Public School. Mr Cadzow's voice is pure tenor quality and he possesses great facility and ease of execution. He is a tenore robusto, and yet possesses a fine delicate timbre. Nearly a»l classes of song come alike to him, and he has a repertoire which seems inexhaustable. Nothing could be better than his rendering of " On Deck," a splendid song by Jude, " Maid of Athens " (Cristabel), " Theßay of Biscay," " Molly Bawn," " Bonnie Nellie Brown," and «' The Minstrel Boy." Not the least attractive was his happy introduction of the items, and the humorous interspersing of jests with songs and music. As a raconteur he is extremely felicitous, his quaint "Scottish chestnuts" being so well appreciated that his audience beoame enthusiastic, and wanted to encore him for these as well. .Mr H. J. Lyster is a vocalist as well as comedian a combination very seldom found. His humor is new, bright, pure, and absolutely irresistible, being devoid of a single objectionable feature. Of Mr Lyster it is impossible to speak in other than the highest terms, and the critic can only enter into his humor and enjoy it. His songs, " I'll place it in the hands of my solicitor," " Yuss," " Appy Amstead," " 'e dunno where 'e are," simply ctmvulsed the house and were greatly enjoyed. In the burlesque Richard 111 some effective local hits were introduced and " Pretty Lips " was a clever character sketch. His dressing, inimitiable expression and characterisation is that of a true comedian, and the enthusiasm manifested on his appearance was an honest tribute to the possession of unique talent. Some idea of the success of the performance may be gleaned when we mention that every item was enthusiastically encored, and the audience left with reluctance at the close of a most enjoyable two hour's entertainment.

TO-NIGHT They give an entire change of programme. They are very and any number specially asked for will be given. Now that the public realise how good their performance is, we have no doubt of their being accorded a bumper house to-night. Their entertainment certainly merit 3 it.