THE BROUGH CONTRIBUTION. ANOTHER SUCCESS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2396, 1 February 1900, Page 18

THE BROUGH CONTRIBUTION. ANOTHER SUCCESS.

The Brough. matinee performance in aid of the patriotic fund took place on Wednesday, and notwithstanding the weather, which was very inclement, attracted a numerous audience, and will result in a really substantial addition to the contribution from Otago. As wa3 to be expected, it was the occasion of a very genuine patriotio demonstration, made under the most jpleasing circumstances. The committee of the fund did all that was possible in the way of co-operation, and no doubt had the weather been tolerably fair the theatre" would have been crowded to the doors. Still there was a very large and enthusiastic audience, the circle and stalls were full, and the pit was well patronised. The scene was a brilliant one, and it is quite safe to say that no public hall in the city has ever before been decorated with such taste and effect as the Princess Theatre was on this occasion. It was not merely that there was a profusion of bunting, and the best results obtained by the blending of gay colours and rich drapery, but there was a successful effort made to apweal to, and to express, the sentiments of loyalty and patriotism that unite all parts of the British Empire.

The artistic and effective decoration of the theatre, we understand, may be regarded principally as a further donation to the patriotic movement by the U.S.S. Company, for though others were laid under contribution, it was mainly that company's bunting emblazoned every part of the interior of the building, and the work, no small one, of decoration was carried out by six of the company's employees, under the skilful direction of Mr J. F. Kirby. Almost the entire surface of the drop curtain was concealed behind an immense Union Jack, a symbol of the nation's strength that is ever " understanded of the people." At the left of the proscenium, immediately over the flag, were the words, in red, white, and blue, " God cave the Queen," and above them a large photograph, almost life-size, of Major Robin, which had been lent for the occasion by Mr J. A. Park. This photograph was surrounded with flags. It was surmounted by a small Union Jack, supported on the right by the New Zealand Ensign and on the left by the " Stars and Stripes." On the right side of the proscenium was a large American flag, with the flag of Old Ireland immediately beneath, and in the lower corner the ' New Zealand Ensign and the Union Jack intertwined, with a pile of small arms with baronets fixed, in front. On the other side of the stage there were the New Zealand and the Scotch flags, below these the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes intertwined, and a similar pile of rifles, with bayonets. Between the proscenium and the left wall of the circle weie displayed the words of Nelson's famous signal, " England expects every man to do his duty," and on the corresponding surface to the right there was the response in symbolical letters of gold, " When duty calls, Zealandia's sons obey." Every part of the theatre was richly draped with flags, and on one side of the circle were the words, " Britannia rules the waves," and on the other the Maori war cry, "Ka whawhai tonu matau, ake, ake, ake." the interpretation thereof being, "We will continue fighting for ever, and ever, and ever. 1 ' The orchestra rail was draped with the national colours ; , there were flags and colours everywhere, and two other mottoes that were touching and naturally significant, '4od bless our boys" and "One Empire." The performance by Mr and Mrs Brough and company was in all respects admirable and worthy of the audience, and of the occasion. It was of their best that the company gave to their patrons for the patriotic fund. Mr H. R. Jones's brilliant comedy "The Liars" was played with the same cast as before and with the same success in every particular, and, as previously, met with mo&t thorough appreciation. There is no occasion to criticise the .performance in detail-, though the more it was subjected to real criticism the more clover it would be shown to be. There can be no doubt that it was one of the best examples of bright modern comedy ever witnessed in the colony, and to say more would be superfluous

Several musical Hems were introduced at the intervals. The first was the late Mr Vincent Pyke's patriotic song, " The old flag." This was very well sung by Mr Maitland Gardner, who put much enthusiasm into the stirring lines, and quite roused an audience that was quick to respond to the sentiment, " Though far apart we are one in heart, ancj will fielit far tUo Brand gld flaK."

The song and the singing was much appreciated, Mr Gardner being loudly applauded.' At the next interval Dunedin's favourite baritone, Mr Farquhar Young, made his appearance, and fully sustained his reputation. Ha sang Kipling's "He's an absent-minded 1 beggar," and it need not be said did ample justice to the music and the sentiment, the refrain being given with much vigour, and! each verse finding at his hands appropriatei interpretation. As the last verse was sung, four ladies — Mrs Brough, Miss Temple, Miss Noble, and Miss Thompson — appeared on thei stage carrying huge 'baskets, suitably decorated, and by voice and gesture invited the audience to hold up their credit by dropping their shillings. The result was a shower of coins upon the stage. Mr Farquhar Young was simply pelted with silver, so much A so that he received several nasty knocks, and his face was cut sufficiently to bring blood. He also got his eye blackened, but he did not mmd 1 that as it was done with a sovereign. The song was a great success, and, considering how much people have oriven, it is somewhat' remarkable that no less than £12, mostly in' shillings and larger coins, was thrown on the stage in response to this appeal. Mr Young subsequently sang, in his very best style, : and how good that is nearly everybody knows, " The soldiers of the Queen," in the chorus of which the audience joined. The programmes that had been designed! with much artistic skill by Mr R. Hawcridge and will be found valued souvenirs of the matinee, were sold by the following ladies, who generously volunteered their services: — Mesdames Robinson, Harper, Bell, Taylor, Smith, Button, and Macdonald, arid Misses Tatrick, Watson, Burt, M. Watson, Glendining, Samson, Williams, D. Williams, Barron. Laing, Saunders, Knight, Wise, Wales, Mackerras, Rattray, Chisholm, Greenslade, Throp, Roberts, Fraser, and Nora Fraeer. The programmes, which were sold for la each, were well worth the money, and no doubt any that are left over will find purchasers. Besides the cast of the play, the programme contains the words of " The old flag " and several other patriotic songs, a splendid drawing of one of our boys at the charge " Ake, ake," and first-class likewise of Major Robin and of Sergeant Gourley, Ihe latter being within a mourning border. Five beautiful copies of this programme were printed on satin ; • two copies were presented to Mr and Mrs Brough, two are to be sent to Mr and Mrs Robin, and the other to the Hon. Hugh Gourley, the father of the braye young fellow whose loss the community mourns.

During the last interval his Worship the Mayor (Mr R. Chisholm) went upon the stag* and addressed the audience. Be first asked that ringing cheers should be given for our boys in Africa, who were being so ably led' by Major Robin. These cheers were heartily given. He then, as mayor of the city, on behalf of the committee and the community, tendered to Mr and Mrs Brough and the members of their talented company sincere thanks for the admirable performance they had given in aid of the patriotic fund, and referred in very eulogistic terms to the character of the entertainment. He also expressed his pleasure at seeing a gathering ao large and enthusiastic as the present one, and said that it was clear the patriotism of Otago was not a diminishing quantity. Never, he said, had he felt so proud in his life as when he, as mayor, was able to take part in a. patriotic movement that had been characterised with such enthusiasm. He considered it a great privilege to occupy the mayoral chair, to take part with such, splendid workers as those who were concerned in this movement, and to witness the great enthusiasm displayed" by the people. In acknowledgment of the high merit of the performance that' afternoon and of the generosity of those who had given it, lie called fof three hearty cheers for Mr and Mrs Brough and the members of the company. — (The cheers were lustily given, andi the audience sang " They are jolly good fel-* lows.") His Worship then expressed his plea-* sure at seeing so many country people present, and his gratitoide for the assistance they were always so ready to give. As chairman of the General Committee, he also took the opportunity of thanking the members for their services in the cause of patriotism, and for their readiness to assist in everything that would tend to unity in the interests of the grandeur and glory of the British Empire.— (Applause.) He again asked for cheers for Mr and Mrs Brough, which agam were given, and in closing said, though it might seem invidious to mention any one name in connection with the movement for which so many had done so much, he could not refrain from mentioning the name of a gentleman who was standing near — Mr James Mills. — (Applause.) He asked for cheers for Mr Mills, which were given, and cheers for Major Robin, and for Mr Farquhar Young, who had given such valuable service, and deserved thanks. The cheers were given heartily. The final act of the play was performed, and . the entertainment closed with the National Anthem.