Winter Entertainments.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1857, 14 July 1886, Page 3

Winter Entertainments.

The Qreytown Town Hall «u packsd last Monday evening to enjoy the usual weekly •oiertaiomenl, and tbe programme presented by tbe Bee Mr Western and Mr Wyatt was mm of the beat of tbe aeries. A mild moonlight night enabled visitors to come from a distance. Tbe proceedings were opened by a pianoforte trio, “ Selections from Martbs," by Miss Gallagher and her two younger sisters, and the effort was warmly applauded. Mr Downard sang very nicely and with excellent effect, “ The'Angel’s Whisper,” and the echo chorus by tbe juvenile voices of bis sons behind the scenes lent quite s charm to the song, which was encored. Misses C. Tody and M. McMaster performed a nice little pianoforte duet, which waa well applauded, jfrs Cuff gave tbe song “ Pierrot ” in excellent style and received a hearty ronnd of applause. Tbe Masters Downard next came forward, and their appearance waa tbe signal for a burst of applause, which was fully justified by tbe success which their effort iu the comic duet, Susie sod Billy," attained ; indeed when encored they even excelled their former performance by singing very clearly and sweetly “ Tbe Golden Stairs the audience would fain Lave brought them back, but they simply bowed their acknowments. The pretty and amusing vocal duet " The A.B.C. " was in the able bands of Mr A. Gray and Mrs Home, and their rendition of the parts won a richly deserved oration. An instnuneatal duet with cornets was well played by Masters Maurice Wood and A. St George, end considering that the cornet is a meet difficult instrument to play it is surprising that soeb very young boys could so well acquit themselves. Miss Hsigb and Miss Ada Wilkie received a good ronnd of applause for their duet “ Tbe Convent Bells.” Messrs Barnard and Varnham deserved the cap and balls for the dnet on tbe orgsninamnd muffled ■exapbone. These gentlemen appeared in the character of street ballad singers and earned several stray pennies from behind the scenes for their peculiar music. Their rigoat was amusingly ridiculous and their performance warmly applauded. Miss Tocker, of Featherstoo, sang '• Speak to Me ” excellently, and she showed to even better advantage when (in response to a unanimous enema) she sang another song. The next item was a prettily played piano dnet by tbe little Mieaec Olive and Maude Fuller, “ Tbe Postmans Knock." Being encored they played “ 1 Know a Bank.” Miss Gallagher’s song. “ Turnbam Toll,” was well given, and tbe was followed by Mrs Home with that pathetic song "Tbe Soldier’s Tear,” nicely •nng and then encored, in response to which ■ha sang"Bobin Adair.” The vocal duet ‘‘Babylon’s a Fsliin,” by the Downard Brothers was tbe gem of tbe evening. With blackened (sees and dressed in ted jackets, they came forward with measured step, keeping time with their feet to tbe piano accompaniment. They sang in excellent voice tod acted their parts with precision and skill. Their artienlstioD was very good, every word being beard by the audience. At tbe last verse a shot waa heard behind tbe scenes, one of the boys fell over upon tbe other’s sbonlder as if wonnded and was carried off the stage in really theatrical style. It was a skilful puce of acting for lads so young and a furious encore from all parts of tbe house brought them back to repeat the tong, which they did in tbe same manner and wete again so rapturously applauded that they came forward and bowed tbeir acknowledgements for the high compliment. The programme wonnd np with s negro stump speech by Mr Barnard, in which he made several good points to the amusement of his hearers.

Next Mondsy eight’s programme ia in the binds of the Rev J. Ward and Mr W. C. Nation, and we believe the humorous element will not be lacking if they can eecnre the talent partly premised. There will also be a littlejnegro minstrelsy with accompaniment of wind, string and brass instruments. It was intended to get a solo upon the Scotch bagpipes, bnt the difficulty ia to get a player in this part \>t the Valley. Perhaps some good Scotchman will, after reading this, come forward and allow his name to be pot down upon the programme for next Monday •yening.

In connection with our Winter Entertainments we publish the tollowiog letter : - •' Greytown, July Blh, 1886. “ The Chairman, Wairaraps Institute Committee. Greytown.—Dear Sir,—The Greytown Dramatic Club intend giving an entertainment in aid of the Greytown Football Club in about two weeks’ time, aod desire to Sve sneh entertainment on a Monday night. Bowing that the weekly readings in aid of the Institute are given on that night, the Dramatic Clnb haa desired me to ask whether the Institute Committee will kindly postpone the weekly readings to take place on Monday, the 36th July, so that the Dramatic Club may perform on that nigbt. The Dramatic Club desire me to state that if yonr Committee will kindly make the concession asked for, it will be happy to come forward at any time to assist at one of the weekly readings.—l have the honor to be your obedient servant. *‘E. A. C*m>BiLL, " Sec. Q.A.D. Clnb.”

We believe the Institute Committee have •eecded to this request. We are glad of it, for our Joeal dramatic amateurs should be encouraged and supported. A Monday evening set apart for a dramatic entertainment will also be a change for the public and we are sure there will he a big house.

To the Editor of the Standard,

Sia,—The energetic committee of the Wairarapa Literary Institute are individually anxious to introduce novelties into the winter entertainments at present proceeding, 1 have one to suggest. It is that the committee should come out in war paint and leathers some night and dance a baka, I will guarantee the greatest encore of the season if they keep good time, aud everybody would willingly pay a shilling to see them. The Rev W. T. W. would make a splendid stalwart leader. 1 am, Ac., Pauha-Maori.