Greytown Winter Entertainments.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1875, 25 August 1886, Page 2

Greytown Winter Entertainments.

Another ol those enjoyable weekly enter ! tainments in aid of the funds of the Literal) Institute took place on Monday night, and the Town Hall was packed. A capital programme was submitted, and though, owing to sickness, some of the performers in Carterton and Masterton were unable to be present, the items still on the programme kept the audience in their seats till a late hour. Messrs Gray and Webster deserve special thanks for bringing together so much talent. Misses Bowler and Gray opened the exercises with an overture on the piano, as the Masterton String Band had not arrived up to 8 o’clock, and though the young ladies did their parts well, it was commonly re marked that the piano was wretchedly ou: of tune. No doubt the long spell of damp weather has affected the instrument, but before another concert is held it should be tuned afresh. Mr F. Thompson, without any accompaniment, sang “ Tommy, Make Boom for Your Uncle,” and was encored Mrs Jackson rendered in a sweet and expres sive manner " Rubin’s Uetnrn,” and was vociferously encored, to which she responded, and was again greeted with warm applause. The piano and flute duet *' Masaienello " by Miss Haigh (piano) and Mr Loasby (flute). was also encored. Just as these performers retired the Masterton String Band came into the hall and received a hearty welcome. The band consisted of Mr Keisenberg, pianists; Mr Pap worth, double bass; Mr Croft, violin ; and Mr Bentley, cornet. These gentlemen discoursed some really good music on three different occasions during the evening, and received warm plandita from the large audience. Mr Wickerson, of Ma>terton, sang that stirring song “ The Little Hero," with much pathos, and drew forth a unanimous encore, responding with the song " Catrissima.” Mr W. Skeet gave a recitation, which was a capital parody on the poem of “ The Burial of Sir John Moore,” and evoked mnch laughter. Mr Papwortb, el Masterton, was very happy in his singing of " Jeremiah Brown,” and was encored. A sparkling piano duet, played by Misses Bowler and Gray followed. One of the beat items of the evening's entertainment was a ventriloqnial sketch by Mr A. G. Thompson. Not having appeared before aoob a large audience before. Mr Thompson, as an amateur, felt bound to ask the forbearance of the audience if he did not come up to the flattering notice of his abilities which bad appeared ia the Standard. But Mr Thompson underrated his abilities, for he brought down the house by bis really clever performance, and was deservedly encored. The distant voices were given in a manner worthy of Fred Millis. In the second part of the programme ten boys appeared with blackened faces and comical dresses and sang •• The Ten Little Nigger Boys.” These performers created mnch laughter, and being encored, they appeared again in what may be called a short farce. The following boys took part; —Frank and Frederick Hawke, Herbert and and Frank Haigh, Frederick aud Vincent Brooks, John Cotter, John Quin, John Hornblow, and Walter Hobman. Mrs Cruickshank was deservedly encored fur her song *' Ruby,” and responded with Hutchinson’s beautiful song " Dream Faces,” to which she did full justice. Mr Btansfield, of Carterton, sang in vigotons style “ A Free Lance Am I,” and was encored. The quartette “ Hark 1 The Lark,” sung by Mrs Jackson, Miss Bowler, Mr Black and Mr Gray was excel, lently rendered and much appreciated. Miss Jessie Cameron was warmly encored for her song •' Fairly Caught,” and deservedly so. Mr Wickerson in the love song “ Thou Art so Near and Yet so Far ” was all that could be desired ; his rendering being most effective and drawing forth a pronounced encore. He responded with the song,” I'll Await My Love,” and was flattered with the throwing up cf one or two bouquets in addition to great applause. Mr MoLachlan, with a sham baby in his arms, sang with good Scotch accent a serio-comic song entitled “ 1 Wish Your Mother Weald Come,” and was ol coarse encored. Upon the motion of Mr Gray a vote of thanka was carried by aoolammation to the performers who had come from a distance such dreary weather to take part. “ The Butterfly Ball Polka,” by Mr Bentley (cornet) and the other members ol the String Band brought the concert to a close.