Musical and Dramatic Enter – ment.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3472, 29 July 1899, Page 2

Musical and Dramatic Enter - ment.

The Temuka Musical and Dramatic Society’s initial entertainment was given on Thursday evening, in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka. The wet weather, although not so cold as it has been, was perhaps even more unpleasant, for a thaw, which set in, made the roads wet and sloppy, and those who attended must have done so at some considerable inconvenience. The ball was fairly well filled, and the funds of the Temuka Mechanics’ Institute, in aid of which the entertainment was given, should benefit by a few pounds.

Mr Gaze, who was asked to introduce the society to the public, did so in a brief speech. The society had been promoted to encourage musical and dramatic talent, whether developed or latent, and of this there was plenty in Temuka. Its performance would in no case be given for the pecuniary benefit of individual members, but only in the interests of public institutions, or in aid of some worthy cause. He referred briefly to the difficulties which always attended introducioryperformances, and said that if the public were satisfied with the present one it would spur the members to further efforts. He spoke their kind consideration for any shortcomings, but trusted if they recognised performers of merit they would encourage the amateurs by their applause. It had been a great pleasure to them to tender their initial performance in aid of so worthy an object as the Temuka Mechanics’ Institute, and on behalf of the society and the institute he thanked the audience for turning out so well on such an unpleasant evening. The programme, which was in two parts with a farce to follow, opened with an overture by the society’s orchestra. The piece selected was the “ War March of the Priests,” and it was played, under the conductorship of Mr Eissell, with very creditable effect. The members of the orchestra are as follow—Pianiste, Miss Warren; Ist violin, Mr Cecil Brown; 2nd violins. Masters Coira (2); flute, Mr Pierson; Ist cornet, Mr E, Morris ; 2nd cornet, Mr W. Veitch ; euphoniums, Messrs W. Jackson and E. Whitehead; clarionet, Mr J. Andrews. Later on in the evening the orchestra played a pretty waltz, and a capital selection of Irish airs, known as the “Humors of Donuibr#oke.” With the latter the audience seemed particularly pleased, and their applause was hearty and prolonged. Of the orchestral performance, as a whole, it must be said that Mr Eissell is entitled to great praise for selecting, organising, and conducting so successfully so many, as yet young, musicians, who can have had but comparatively little opportunities of practising the class of music selected. The lady who can claim the honor of singing the first solo in connection with the society is Mrs Polaschek, who sang simply apd charmingly that pretty song “ Thady O’Flynn.” Mrs Polaschok’s sympathetic voice was heard to advantage in this song, and she was able to make every word of it heard without any undue straining. She received a very cordial applause. Mr Eissell played a cornet solo, “In Old Madrid,” so well that he was recalled. His next item was equally successful. In the absence of Mr Jones, who was to have infused the inevitable comic element into the vocal part of the programme, Mr P. McCaskill sang “An Awful Little Scrub,” and in response to an encore “ That’s a Pleasure Awaits You, my Boy.” In the hitler he was scarcely so successful. Mrs Hayes sang Dr Arnes’ old and quaint song, “ Polly Willis,” with taste and expression, and in the second part acted as a substitute for Miss Campbell, and sang another old melody, " A Skye Boat Song,” very popular amongst the Jacobites. On each occasion she was warmly applauded. An apology was made for Mr Pierson, who was suffering from cqld, and the only other male vocalist was Dr Warren, whose splendid singing of “Thy Sentinel am I ” justified a recall. His second song served to confirm the audience in their opinion that they had listened to a finished performer. Miss Barklie’s appearance upon the stage was the signal for a round of applause. Temuka audiences have on one or two occasions listened to Miss Barklie’s artistic performances upon the violin, and they are justified in expecting pleasure whenever she appears. Her selection was a Hungarian Danse, by Guido Papini, and so delightfully was it played that au encore was demanded. She gratified the audience by playing another fine selection, “Andante Eeligioso,” receiving again the warmest of applause. Edgar Allen Poe’s poem, “ The Bells,” was recited in parts by Mrs Eissell, Miss Goy, and Messrs Goy and Whitehead, and some clever effects were introduced by the ringing of sleigh bells, an imitation of wedding bells, and so forth. Mr Theo. H. Goy gave a capital comic recitation, or, as it was called, a humorous- speech. His imitation of broken English and his keen appreciation of the humours of the situation in which the hero of the piece finds himself were thoroughly appreciated. It must be mentioned that upon Mr Goy has devolved a large amount of work, for he lias acted as stage manager, prompter, and general instructor of the younger element, and consequently a large amount of the success must be credited to him In the stage decorations, which were particularly good, he received assistance from Mr Butterfield, the energetic hon. secretary, and this mention of decorations leads up to the remaining items, which made up the miscellaneous part of the programme, viz., the tableaux vivanfs. The first was “ Eock of Ages,” the principal figure in which was represented by Mrs H. B. Stewart. The subject is well-known. Mrs Stewart was able to maintain a practically unmovable attitude during the singing of the well-known hymn, and during its progress the effect was enhanced by limelight effects. The next tableau was “The Gipsy’s Warning,” the characters being sustained by Miss Stewart, Miss McCaskill, and Mr F. Eadford. The well-known warning was sung by Mrs Stewart, and the tableau was applauded. The lime-light effects were the work of Mr S. Bates, and they contributed much to the beauty of the tableaux. The farce, which concluded the programme, was called “Le Garsong.” lu this the caste was as follows: —Henry Higgins, Mr P. McCaskill; Prank Priskly, Mr J. McCaskill; Peter Pippin, Master Levens; Jacob Earwig, Mr G. Levens ; Miss Cecilia Moonshine, Mrs H. B. Stewart; Emily Trevor, Miss Theo. Goy; Sally Smith, Miss Lavery; Betty Jenkins, Miss M. Williams. Of these the Messrs P. and J. McCaskill are well known as being quite at home on any stage, while Mr G. Levens has ia such characters as “Jacob Earwig” delighted many an audience. Master G. Levens seems likely to develop some of the ancestral comedian talent, and sustained his character of a page boy well. Mrs Stewart, as the highly sensitive and emotional Mias Moonshine, displayed more than an average amount of dramatic ability, acting naturally an t speaking effectively. Miss Theo. Goy also gives signs of promise, and created a favorable impression. Sonbretto parts, such as that of “ Sally Smith,” suit Mias Lavery well, and the little Miss Williams had to do was done with confidence. The piece was well staged, and went smoothly from start - to finish. The situations are very comical, and laughter and applause was frequent. The performance concluded just at eleven o’clock, and the society can congratulate itself on a very successful introduction.

In conclusion it should be said that the accompaniments were played by Miss Warren most sympathetically. The society must be deeply indebted to her for her labors in this direction, and for assistance with the orchestral music.