Novel Entertainment at Kerrytown.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3537, 20 January 1900, Page 2

Novel Entertainment at Kerrytown.

t An exceedingly enjoyable entertainment - was given on Thursday evening in St. Joseph’s school by the Kerrytown Dramatic h and Musical Troupe. This comprises a l " variety of taleut, and one of the pleasing » features of the troupe is the blending of a old age witli youth. The entertainment, v which was witnessed by a bumper house (oven at the door over £l4 being taken), h in many respects resembled those Cbrist- • mas-eve reunions of old, when sociability and d good fellowship were perhaps more promi--0 nont than at present. The schoolroom was l " wclljillnminated for the occasion, and the 0 stage decorations were very nice. Since a the Sisters of St. Joseph’s concert 11 was held a new curtain has been added to 0 the stage, which is a decided improvement to the neatest little country stage to be met 0 with anywhere. The first item on the pro--0 gramme was a violin solo by Mr E. Hoare, 3 -who was ably accompanied by Miss Annie 6 Hoare on the piano. Master Lynch, who promises well to outrival his champion ° brother, in mistletoe movements, with 3 > wonderful precision rattled off a jig to the Q music of Messrs R. Hoare (piano) and W. d Lynch, and had to respond to a unanimous '■ redemand. For his age the boy is a wonder. Master D. Drosnahan was recalled > for his singing of “ Oil to Coolgardie,” and i, responded witli “ Kitty of Coleraine.” The il same fate awaited Mr E. Hoare, who gave s’ “ Sons of the Sea ” in a very pleasing d manner. Mr C. Foley, to whom wo have i- referred on many occasions in bygone times >v (when ho was pupil of the Kerrytown ; Convent School) as a very promising 3, dramatist, recited “Murphy shall not sing To-night” in such a way as to bring down t, the house, and ho had to return twice, on each occasion giving a funny piece from _ comic authors. Mr Thomas Leonard, who j is one of “ the old boys ” referred toi n our local, sang “The Weariog of the Green ” in that happy style of old, and, in response ’ to an encore, gave another patriotic song. 3 e Mr Aed Connihan, whose appearance on the stage was a signal for applause, as he is no child now, danced an Irish jig (in gorgeous j apparel) with such light step and accuracy as to secure for him a general recall. “ The -j Green Shores of Erin ” was sung by r _ Mr E. Lavery, for which he was . heartily applauded. A very appreciable item followed,, a cornet solo, “ Killarney,” 16 by Mr llissel. Mr Eissel’a ability Dso well h known that encomium is unm cessary. After !- a few minutes’ interval the drama “ Two n lit roes "was staged, the arrangements of 1- which throughout were excellent. This o depicts the mock trial of the Irish patriot 3- Pailip O'Toole, which character was splene didly sustained by Mr Charlie Foley, who ie as a boy in this line had no superior. The il plotting for his escape from death on het q gallows was cleverly carried out by hia i- brother, Terence O’Toole (Mr M. Driscoll, r . jun.), assisted by the chief gaoler (.Mr F. J. 11 Connell), under-gaoler (Mr Denis Connell). l 0 Wolfe, a friend of the gaoler’s (Mr J. D. Scannell), and others. Mr Ned Connihan. H as Chief Justice, could not have been im;o proved upon, aud the other Justices (Messrs a H. Brosnahan and IV. Lynch) were also x good. Another excellently-suited character was that of the landlord ad the inn in 1. which the King's courier (who is conveying the warrant for Philip's execution) calls u for refreshments, and this was well taken n by Mr Con. O’Keefe. The other parts were .- as follows:—Patrick, (steward of the n O’Toole’s), Mr J. Scannell; \\ ilson (war ie)r, 0 Mr Stephen Scannell: Foreman of the !S Jury, Mr J. Lynch ; Clerk of the Court, Mr 3 > J. Breen ; Usher, Mr Patrick Brosnahan : e Two Guards, Messrs T. Brosnahan and J. ,t Leonard ; (.Uncial Courier, Master D. x Broshanau ; two Peasants, Messrs D. j’ Brosnahan and T. Leonard. All sus2, tained their parts in good style, and j the whole piece, which ends with ■ e Philip’s escape to a foreign land, was [s layed without a hitch. The second part was opened with a sjilendid . exhibition of Indian club drill by Mr E. Lavery, the excellence of which could only be realised by being present. The Eev. .Father Galoruo was vociferously encored for his singing “ Father O’Flynn,” to which ho responded with the pathetic song, “ Three Leaves of Shamrock,” for which ho received a lovely bouquet. Father Galerne ■s w r as in good voice, and this, combined with his well-known expression, mad* his siug:s ing very enjoyable. Mr J. Lynch (who is a dancer of repute) gave an exhibition of .t an Irish jig in costume, and had to re-ap-pear. Master D. Brosnahan sang “ Teaohn ing McFaddeu to Waltz” expressively, and was followed by another cornet solo, r “ The song that reached my heart,” by Mr Rissel, who was warmly applauded. In the □ song “ Comrades” Mr E. Hoare was again successful, and the double hornpipe by' Messrs N. Connihan (who, judging from his a present agility despite his advanced age, must have been good on his “ pins ” in his :1 clay) aud J. Lynch scored so well that they f bad to respond. The next item, “ The Irishman’s Farewell,” created a furore. Apart - from the faultless manner in which it was , sung, the arrangement was splendid. The friends of the Irishman were seated on the ; stage, and the parting was extremely real- , istic. In respo use te a deafening recall, Father Galerne gave “The Dear Little Shamrock,” 1 in which he was equally successful. Mr J. , Lynch even excelled His previous efforts with his sleigh hornpipe, which was a ) real treat. Another item which created i roars of laughter was “ The Lancers,” danced in a " conformed ” style (by eight } gentlemen). The singing of “ Home, boys, i Home,” by the troupe (some 25 performers) i brought an exceedingly enjoyable entertainment to a close. The piano accompani- ■ ments were played by Miss Annie Hoare, ■ while the music for the dances was supplied ! by Messrs W. and J. Lynch and E. Hoare. i After the entertainment the performers were treated to refreshments by the sisters of St. Joseph. We have to congratulate I the Eev. Father Galerne on the success of his great labour. The entertainment, which in a great measure was a patriotic one, was free from offence. The takings go towards defraying the debt on the school, and another successful entertainment like the one in question will have the laudable effect of clearing off the whole of the burden.