OPERATIC ENTERTAINMENT.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 11593, 31 October 1901, Page 4

OPERATIC ENTERTAINMENT.

A first performance of "H.M.S. Pinafore" Gilbert and Sullivan's sparkling comic opera, was given in the Volunteer Hall, Temuka, on Tuesday evening by amateurs, organised under the stage management of Mr W. Jeffries. The proceeds of this and subsequent entertainments will be devoted to the funds of the St. Joseph's Church. There was a crowded attendance, and the performance ■ went very smoo'thlv from start to finish, albeit some of the principals suffered slightly from nervousness. The parts were allotted as fol- ] low* :—Sir Joseph Porter, Mr D. McDonald : Captain Corcoran, Mr J. T. Heatley; Ralph Rackstraw, Mr X. Flyger; Dick Deadeve. Mr G. Levens; Bill Bobstay, Mr P. McCaskill; Bob Beckett, Jas. Harrison ; Tom Tucker and Ivan Phyliss (middies), Messrs Lvnch and Wareing; Marines, Messrs Jessep and Cooper; Cousin Hebe, Miss Fairbairn; Little Buttercup, Miss L. Quinn; Josephine, Miss C. McGuinness; amazon officers, Misses Lissack and Twomey- The orchestra comprised, pianist and conductor, Prof. Kearsley; first violin, Mr B. P. Ginders; cornet, Mr J. Veitch; 'cello, Mr J. B. Rutland; euphonium, Mr E. Whitehead; drums, Mr S. Bates. Ladies' choruses, Misses Lee, Gaffaney (2), Brosnahan, Story (2), McAuliffe, Wareing, Beri, O'Brien, Jones, Mesdames Early, McMillan, Rissel and Sharp. Men's choruses, Messrs Lyon, Wiggs, Wareing, Bateman, O'Leary, E. Battes, Harrison, Lynch, Chapman and Bates. The stage arrangements were admirable, some excellent scenery having been procured at considerable expense. Without exception the principal performers sustained the parts allotted to them very creditably, and the choruses were well sung. Miss McGuinness was distinctly successful as Josephine, and Miss L. Quinn acted the part- of "Little Buttercup" with spirit. Mr McDonald's Sir Josepli Porter was also a good performance, though lacking a little in dignity, and Mr Heatley gave a good representation of Captain Corcoran. Mr N. Flyger / was frequentlv applauded for his singing of the difficult music allotted to Ralp Rackstraw, and acted naturally, and Miss Fairbairn made an attractive Cousin Hebe. As Dick Deadeye, Mr Levens was successful, principally on the score of acting. Several introduced songs, notably one by little Miss Lissack, were well received, and some marching evolutions by a number o" little girls were very pleasing. The opera was repeated last night, and a children's matinee is to be given to-day.