THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 2770, 9 August 1883, Page 8

THEATRE ROYAL.

We were extremely pleased to see that the (Sorts of the friends of the late Captain Baseand to obtain pecuniary assistance for his family by means of a musical entertainment, held on Tuesday, m the Theatre Royal, were well repaid, a large audience assembling to li«ten to the ladies and gentlemen who kindly responded to the appeal for help: The dress circle seats were fully occupied, as was also the standing space there, while the stalls and pit were comfortably filled. Besides these, it is very probable that, as tickets were on sale for a good while before ihe dato fixed for the entertainment, many were purchased by people who at the last moment found themselves unable to attend. The financial result, therefore, must be very gratifying to those who hare had the management of the affair, and to all well-wishers of the young people whom the sudden death of their father left m somo straits. As the ladies and gentlemen who took part m the concert volunteered their services, and bearing m naind the purpose of the entertainment, anything like criticism of the individual performers would bs entirely out of place. Not, however, that any of them would suffer much at the hands of even a severe critic, for tho concert, from first to last was really a great treat, every item being excellently rendered. Every performer without exception was rewarded with hearty applause ; encores were frequent, and these m most cases were kindly responded to. Several of the singers were strangers, or comparative strangers, to Timaru audiences, and the oharaoter of their contributions proved the judgment displayed by the Managing' Committee m procuring their ' asiistanoe. The Timaru Artillery Band opened the concert by playing a grand fantasia, which was much enjoyed. The forte passages of the piece, however, might have boon toned down

a li'tl.i for lha occasion, as the building confining tho sound made it rather unpleasant to the ear. The glee " Awake, .ffiolian Lyre," was nicely given, as was alto the song " Alice, where art thou." A pianoforte duet (by a lady and gentloman) followed, which was accurately and skillfully played. The well-known long "The Scont " was done full justice to by a gentleman well-known to Timaru audiences, so much so m fact that an encore was demandfd, to whioh the singer kindly acceded. " Over the Hiil to the Poorhouse," a rather difficult recitation, wai admirab'y reodered by an elocutionist whom many residents of tho town have more than once had the pleasure of listening to. In response to a recall, " Papa's Letter " was feelingly given. The vocal doet '■ I would th»t my love," followed, and tha ladies who took part m it made it one of the best pieofs of the evening, and earned an enthusiastic encore. The " Noble Boy of Truth," a song comparatively little known, was given bj a gentleman well known as a musician m Temuka, but whom, we believe, a Titnarn audience had never had the opportunity of hearing before last evening. His singing tbroughout was excellent, and the audience testified their pleasure by hearty applause, and would not allow the concert to proceed until he re-appeared. The pianoforte solo "Masaniello," by a very youthfnl performer, bat one wbo is always to the fore on such an occasion ai that of last evening, was tastefully played. A lady's song 'Flow gently sweet Afton," was most favorably received, and brought the first pnrt of the entertainment to a close. During the interval the Artillery Band played some of their well known selections. The glee, "Let the Hills resound " opened the second part of the concert, which was followed by " Tho Yeoman's Wedding Son?." The song " Onoe Again" was exceedingly well rendered by a lady who was rewarded with much applause. A very humorous reading treating «rith the subject of "nagging," waa given by a gentleman, tbe song "Tell me, my Heart," by a lady who sing m the duet mentioned above, following. The recitation " The Field of Waterloo " was well received, the musical accompaniment to varipus passages making it very effective. The lady whose name wai down for the next song waa unavoidably absent, and a gentleman from Temuka kindly filled tho vacancy by contributing two comic songs, or.c of which wag m response to an encore. After the song "Man the Lifeboat" had been sung, the Public School Fife and Drum Band played a few selections. A most enjoyable concert was brought to a close by the same band playing " God Save the Queen." •