THEATRE ROYAL.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXXXI, Issue 12480, 17 September 1904, Page 4

THEATRE ROYAL.

MISS DONALDSON AND-MR SPENCE. Of ; Scottish entertainers there .are (says the Dunedin " Star ") three kinds—more if. the spurious or built-up stage Scotch are included, but with these we have nothing to do at present, since they are not-, properly speaking, entitled to any classification under the heading given. The three kinds are—first, those born and bred Scotchmen who know their subject"and make the most of the national garb and the picturesque surroundings generally, but for want of culture come, to grief -over the singing and story telling. ■ Th«y have their reward, in the: admiration of those to whom Scotchness is everything. Next we may mention the class who by platform training have come to the point of rivalling the ordinary concert singer, and in the process lwve 'so watered their distinctive characteristics, as to be converted into a kind of hybrid, neitfier good. Scotch nor good English. For these there is the swift professional perdition of a back seat in perpetuity. The third class consists of those whom Nature has endowed not only, with the distinction of authentic Scottish birth, but also with suitable singing voices and the gift of telling a story, and have the sense to depend upon pictorial and linguistic efforts for a proper setting forth of Scottish life and character. It is in the latter category that we find the truly successful Scottish delineators, those who .go on, year in and year out, and earn a welcome in all parts of the world. And it is to. this class that Miss Flora F. Donaldson and Mr Gavin Spence belong, truly as David Kennedy did. Their entertainment is not exactly on the same lines as Mr Kennedy's was.. As one point of difference, it may be mentioned that David Kennedy and his party came on in evening dress, whereas Mr Gavin Spence assumes the kEt and heather, leaving Miss Donaldson! to her choice of a lovely silk gown the like'of which might be worn by any Southron even at such a place as. Windsor Castle. But if in this Tespect Miss Donaldson surrenders the opportunity of work- ' ing on the sympathies of her enthusiastic .countryfolk, it is her distinguishing honour to captivate not only Scots but all listeners lay the lawful means of superioy, vocalisation.' If we omit from the reckoning a few notes above.the stave, Miss Donaldson's is absolutely the best soprano voice ever heard here from; a Scottish entertainer. It is a rich, full and clear, voice, eminentlymusical in its mezzo ranges, used also with peculiarly good effect as to enunciation, thereby revealing in all its charm her pure and easily followed Scottish accent. For these ado Table qualities a mixed audience gladly forgive Miss Donaldson's not appearing as Helen Macgregor, for half the Helen Macgregors are only' second-rate singers. As a matter of appearance, Miss Donaldson runs no risk in' any case. Heaven has blessed her with personal comeliness and shapeliness, and the chances are that few of the men folk present at the Garrison Hall could say how she was dressed, the all-sufficing fact; in their eyes being that she looked " all' right."—Miss Donaldson and Mr Spence give their concert at Timaru on Wednesday evening next; and all admirers of Scottish minstrelsy should be at the Theatre to welcome them.