THE REV. ALWYN EWEN'S RECITALS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2604, 10 February 1904, Page 57

THE REV. ALWYN EWEN'S RECITALS.

"FIGHTS WITH THE KAILYASDERS."

The Rev. J. Alwya Eweii. of the Cairns Memonal Church, Melbourne, the latest of Mr R. S. Smythe's lectiuers, rnrde ins bow to a Dunedin audience ol very large dimensions at His jyTajestj's Theatre en Wednesday. The Rev. W. Hewitson. presided, and introduced the entertainer of the evening ni veiy felicitous terms. The Rev. Alwyn Ev.-ej.. he said, had impressed him as a great cLuich-debt extinguisher. He cou'd assure him of a critical audience, but an audience none the less ready to be appreciative and responsive. The chairman's assurance, let it be said, was fully justified, as for a couple of hours the speaker of the evening kept his hearers intensely interested and entertained. This was rn.anifesi.ed by the keen attention oi all present, no small complimen. to the speaker's powers. The Rev. Ahvya Ewen does not pose as a lecturer or ?s a critic what he gives are dramatic elocutionary recitals dealing -with. Scottish life and cha-acter. As the Rev. Mr Ewen is by tLe way a college lectuier on elocution, one naturally expects a good deal of him. but expectations are amply realised. Apait from an excellent stage presence he has a splendid voice for his purpose, and sn elocutionary ability, a dramatic power, a sense of humour and proportion allied to an abihty to gauge his audience that carry him far o.i the road to platform success. In addition to this Mr Ewen's recital last evening constituted a feat of memory in eveiy w?y admirable. Last evening's recital was entitled " Hotch Potch • A Night with the Kaityaiders," and after a brief appreciation of the merits of the Kailyard .School and the icason of their appeal to their admirers, the speaker stated expressly that it was not his aim to criticise these writers nor to compaie their re'ptive incuts, but simply to let them tell their own story in their own language. He the.i proceeded to recite from the works of S. R. Crockett, J. M Barrle. and lan Maciarcn. in. that older, and a feature of the Rev. J. A. Ewen's rectal is that he does not recite at great length. but very happily combines descuptive narra' , 2 anecdote, and verbatim pasages from his rutliors, in a way that leaves 110 possible room for tedium. Very considernble skill has also been shown in the choice of selections, so that while a previous knowledge of Xai^ard lit?ialure might well add in an almost unlimited decree to the listener's enjoyment, one who has yet no: read a word from these authors m?y find coinp'etely intelligible -enjoyment in all that he hears. As an exponent of Kpilyard literatiue in fact Mr Ewen is tharougbly satisfy irq a - id will likely win that literature many more students and admirers. Last* r\eni:ig's selections were happily varied, the humorous and the pathetic being skilfully intermingled, and in either branch tho speaker was equnliy happy. Crockett Mr Ewen drew upon for a few ministerial sketches, such as the Stickit minister, Allen Fairley and his mother, striking a deeply pathetic chord when telling of Hugh Hamilton and his last strange congregation. Prom Bprrie a few love scenes (which gave the author such difficulty) were chossn, ond " The Courtin' of Knowhead's Bell " saw the audience convulsed with, unrestrained laughter at the doing 3 of Sanders and Samuel in their matrimonial difficulties. Finally lan Muclaren was drawn upon for a few studies of medical practitioners, or would be such, as O'Biallign.i Murchison, Milton, and Jamie Souter. Undoubtedly or? of Mr Ewer.'s best effoits w: 3 tliat m which he concluded — namely, the lecital from "The Bonnie Brier Bush " — of how Dr Mi.clure drove tho Queen's doctor thiough. the flccd to sa""'e the life of the rhepherd's wife. The recils>! of t'lis was delivered with rare dramatic efrVct and pathos, and deeply moved the pudience, who accorded the Rev. Mr Ewen very hearty app'ause as lie therein concluded undoubtedly as c-m'oyable ar entertairment of its kn.d as cot^d be h-tenc-d to. At the close of the recital Mr G. Fenw'ck, on bsha 1 * of the Veterans' Home Fund Local Ccuimictee, moved a hearty vote of thinks to Mr Even for the treat he had ofroidecl s>ll, and for his geneiosity in donating, through his agent Mr Smythe. half of the gross pioceeds of the recital towards that fund. It was ho said further, a gratifying evidence of Lor:! Raruuvly's interest in the movement that he hr>d intimated to the Mayor his intention of specially visiting Dur>odm to attend the fete hsir.g organised. Weedless to say the vote was herrlily accorded by acclamation. Agreeable diversity was lent the evening's ento) tairment by a pianofoite solo '•The Erl K'.ig" Schubert-Liszt) bnih?ntly inteipreicd by Mrs H. C Campbell and the a ocal polo "April morn" (Batten), sung by Miss Amy Murphy with her usua' great acceptance, the singer randeung " Croon cioon," as an encore item.

Mr Even will appear at Inverca-.gill o1!o 1 ! Monday and Tuesday, and arrangements are in progress for recitals at Ba'c'utha :uid Qamaru.