HUNT CLUB CONCERT.

Waikato Argus, Volume IX, Issue 764, 26 September 1900, Page 2

HUNT CLUB CONCERT.

The meagre attendance at the Hunt Club concert, held in the Voluuteer Hall last evening, must have been very disappointing to the Cambridge ladies and gentlemen, who made the trip in such wretched weather for the purpose of swelling the funds of the vVaikato Hunt Club. Possibly the raiu may have kept a number from attending, but we are inclined to think that the plethora of entertainments from which we have lately suffered was an important factor in the case. Mr E. Bouillon was first on the programme, and his excellent voice was heard to great advautage in the "Bandit's Life." Mrs Boston-Couper followed with the fascmating little song '•Tatters,''which was nicely sung with due attention to expression and feeling.' In response to an encore this lady sang " When Love is Kind." Mr C, C. Buckland recited " Banjo " Paterson's " Man from Snowy River" in capital style, being loudly applauded. The inimitable Mr Light scored a great success with his comic song, "I Took It," giving "The Story of a Kiss," us an encore. The duet "Oh, My Daughter," by Mr and Mrs Couper earned for them a hearty recall. Mrs Couper's dancing was graceful and pretty, and the an Mcnoe appeared to be unxious f.r a repetition. Miss Cave, who usually confines herself a sentimental songs, appeared in quite a now light in ''Umpy Umpty Urn," (in character) with which she made a decided hit. The song is one of those striking littie tunes which haunt one, and cannot bo easily forgotten. Mr Quick's coon song was received with favour. Mr Boston-Couper sang " The Dany Coloured Coon," in character, in a manner which earned for him unstinted applause. In the second half the comedy, " Pipkins' Rustic Retreat," was staged, the parts being allotted as follows :—Mr Pipkins (a retired crockery dealer), Mr C. C. Buckland ; Mr Salvator Rosa Robinson (au artist with a taste for the terrible), Mr E. Bouillon ; Shandy Gaff (potboy at the Green-eyed Monster), Mr •J. L. S. Richardson ; two mysterious individuals, Messrs Hitchinson and Cox ; Mary Maria (Pipkins' wife), Miss E. Cave ; Florinda (their daughter), Miss Wright ; lietsy Perks (tlieir maid of all work), Mrs Couper. The comedy bristles with humourous situations, which lost none of their points at the hands of the Cambridge artists, who played their respective parts with an amount of life and vim seldom seen amongst amateurs. Mr Buckland as Pipkins was perhaps a trifle tragic, but as the proprietor of Nightshade Common he had ample scope for the display of his histrionic ability in the low comedy line. Mr F. Bouillon, as the artist, played Ins part in a quiet, easy manner, and be was without doubt the success of the piece. Mr Richardson as the country yokel looked the character all over, and his acting was good. Miss K. Cave us Mrs Pipkins put a wonderful lot of go iuto her part as the vinegar voiced Mary Maria, who handles the reins, and bullies the unfortunate Pipkins on every couceivable occasion, and then displays all a woman's weakness in jumping on a chair and gathering up her skirts with great aclarity at the sheer mention of a mouse. The only matter lor surprise is that Pipkins did not leave her in Loudon, and conduct his gardening operations at the " Retreat " without her assistance, • which to the Pay mind would have been infinitely preferable, with such a charming little nuid-of-all-work for a companion. Mrs Couper, who appeared as Betsy, acted her part gracefully, and the same may be said of Miss Wright as FloriDda, whoso quiet, lady-like demeanour was in striking contrast to that of her respected parents. Many of the situations were intensely funny, though on some of these occasions the noise was so great that one had great difficulty in following the dialogue. The accompaniments were played by Miss Taylor, Miss Newell, Mrs Couper and Mr Cox.