THE KENNEDY ENTERTAINMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 1884, 17 March 1874, Page 2

THE KENNEDY ENTERTAINMENTS.

These are not, in the strictest sense, concerts* They are, to Scotch people at any rate, what Mr Kennedy calls them — " Twa Hours at Hame "■ — recalling the history of the country and its " dour " determined, successful struggles for freedom within and without; its pawky humour — " wut "it has been called ; its " bonnie howes an' braes " and simple rural life ; the loyal trustiness of its people to a royal race that first of all gave them comparative freedom and then tried to place a shackle on their tongues ; and the almost " familiar " style which characterises the religion they both profess and feel. Mr Kennedy and his family must indeed carry Scotch men and women back to that " hame " which they never ceaso to think of with affection and of which — on the authority of Mr Disraeli — they have every reason to be " greatly proud." The Kennedy family do more, much more, than sing the songs of Scotland j thoy interpret them, and awaken the associations by which they are sui'rounded. In listening to. Mr Kennedy, wo aro reminded of that incident in Scott's life recorded by Lockhart. He was entertaining " vei*y fine company " afc Abbofcsford in bis palmiest days, when tho "graundesfc o' the laud" considered themselves- honoured by an invitation to that hospit'iblo and historical mansion. When the gentlemen adjourned to the drawing-room, the ladies very kindly favoured them with the latest and best music — vocal and instrumental.. It was observed that Scott, although chivalrously courteous, as he always was, to his guests, apparently took little interest in the music. At last, a simple old Scotch ballad was simply and pathetically sung by one of tho ladies. Ho was all attention, and before she could finish the last stanza became so excited that, jumping into the middle of the room, ho drew all the company into a grand chorus by voice and action. Tho explanation is simple. Scott " felt " the music alike of the words and the air to which they had been wed, for they stirred all his Border spirit, sprung the mine of his Border lore, and forcibly recalled the doughty deeds of " The Hough Clan," of which he was a descendant, and which ho loved so dearly. It was tho " associations "of the old ballad that made Scott so demonstrative, and it is tho same or similar associations to which the entertainment given by Mr Kennedy and his family appeal. But the programme, though mainly, was nofc solely Scotch. The fine glees, " Hail Smiling Morn," and " Tho Cloud-Capt' Tower 3," and also tho catch, " Would you know my Celia's charm," were executed by the company in remarkably good stylo, and tho last-named was re-demanded. Mr Kennedy replied by giving an apt Scotch story about encores, which it is to bo hoped hia audience will remember, ilost of his national stories wevo pointedly illustrative of national character, and the entertainment was appropriately brought to a close by " Auld Lang Syne," in the chorus of which the audience were asked, by Mr Kennedy ! to join. The response to this invitation was very heart/, giving unmistakeable evidence that the " Twa Hours as Hame " had been thoroughly enjoyed by the very crowded uudience. The programme for this evening is entirely new, and it includes some of the finest old Scotch songa.