ENTERTAINMENT IN AID OF THE ATHENÆUM FUNDS.

Western Star, Issue 805, 29 December 1883, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENT IN AID OF THE ATHENÆUM FUNDS.

Our local Athemeura is an institution that does not meet with a great deal of support from the public of the town and district. Unfortunately it is not so ricMy endowed r.s similar institutions in some districts, and the consequence is that successive committees t f management have experienced gr. at difficult v in “ making both ends m ot ” and have for that reason failed in making the i stitution so useful and attractive as cmild be wished. Ui der si.'oli circumstances, the aur.url entertainment in aid of its funds Ics come to ho ( calculilrd upon as a mean- of furnishing a | substantia’ portion of the i- si it u ion’s income. It is phasing 10 recor 1 that the Ouiuinift* 0 j hoye never had any diffioul'y in enli-ting the • so, vices of local gentlemen whose ta'e.its enI able them to give an enteric i 'mm 1 , invariably of great, nnrh, although not alwny- to successful financially as could be desir d. The p-rfortrance on Wednesdav evening was, however, an exception in this r spact, the handsome sum of nbont £25 ( sing netted, which with the help of the Government subsidy, wdl provide a most welcome addition to the"funds For this result the inslilution is greatly indebted to Mr and Mrs Hesford, Mr S. G. Tnstone and the various ladies and gentlem m who took part in the performance, one and all entering into the movement with such enthusiasm as was bound to result in success. The amount of time and labor involved in the production of such an ambitious and well-rendered performance must necessarily be very great, and it was doubtless very gra'ifying to those who ' took part therein to see such a well filled house in every part. An orchestra, competent and strong enough for a first-class opera conipanv, under the conductorship of Mr S. G. Instone, performed three selections of music. The instrumentalists were as follows : —Mr S. G. Inst one, flute; Miss Howell and Mr D. Black, first violins ; Misses B. and K. Dickinson, second do.; Mr B. A. Dickinson, violinc> 110 ; Miss B. Howel l , piano ; Mr J. Black, cornel; Mr A. Black, clarionet; Mr D. McKillop, euphonium. After an overture by tbe orchestra (“ Tancredi”), the cartair. rose to the burlesque of “Tbe Nymph of theLurleyburg.” It would be almost impossible t-> give a description of this piece in anything like a moderate amount of space—suffice it to say that it is founded upon the legend of “ Luiline.” Like most burlesques, however, the piece is “ a long way after ” the theme by which it is inspired, but there is just sufficient trace of its origin to give a fillip to the enjoyment of the performance. Pans, jokes, antics, and odd situations abound, and at intervals some good songs were given by Mr and Mrs Hesford and Mrs Locke.' The performer* were all attired in correct costume, and not the least amusing portion of the entertainment, was the extraordinarily grotesque figures cut by some well known local amateurs. The principal characters were taken by Mr and Mrs Hesford, who, as was to be expected, performed with high class professional ability. Mrs Locke, Messrs Adams, Booth, and Bridge, had no inconsiderable share in the success of the piece, and acquitted themselves with vivacity, and abandon. “Guards, retainers, Mormen, and mob in general ” were represented by Messrs , Clementson, Collins, and Paltison, and the | wonderful'and fearful manner in which they i were “ got up ” wiillong haunt the recollec- j tion of the audience. One of the “ incidentals” of the piece was the “ Mustering of the Riverton Juvenile Naval Brigade.” Some twenty of these youngsters, ranging in age from four to fourteen, attired in naval costume, wont through a number of movements in a manner that would compare favorably with many volunteer corps, showing that they had been well tutored by Mr Hesford. A comie trio, into which a number of local allusions were introduced, was 1 greatly applauded. After another overture by the orchestra, the harlequinade was proceeded with. This proved a most amusing production, especially to the juvenile portion of the audience. The e* t was as follows :—Clown, Mr Hesford ; Pantaloon, Mr Clementson ; Harlequin, Mr Wooes-, Columbine, Mrs Hesford ; Policeman X.Y.Z , Mr Adams. Mr Hesford’s versatility as an actor was displayed by the successful manner in j which lie impersonated the Clown, and for nearly an hour he kept the audience in a continual state of laughter. He was well supported by Mr Clementson, who took the part of Pantaloon at short nolice. This gentleman, however, could not suppress his strong penchant for extempore agonising puns, the eff. ct of some of which upon the Clown was most painful, and at times threatened to bring the piece to an abrupt conclusion. The dancing of Mrs Hesford and Mr Woo ls was a most enjoyable performance. The entertainment was brought to a close about 11 o’clock. Mes-rs D. Black (violin), J Black (<ornet), Mrs J Black (piano) and Mr S. G. Instone (flute) performed the incidental music for the burlesqud and the harlequinade, and the three first namet also supplied the music for the dance thar succeeded later on. During an interval Me Hesford announced that the performanc) would be repeated the following (Thursdayevening, the proceeds to be devoted to covering the considerable expense involved in the production of the piece. A dance took place at the conclusion of the programme, but -it was not well attended. The gross receipts amounted to close upon £4O, but we have not yet been able to ascertain the net sum available for the institution. The expenses were necessarily very heavy,, and probably npt more than.- £23 will be available for handing ' over to tbe Athensoum Com mittee. Taking the latter anm os oorrect.it will be the most substantial benefit hitherto given to our local literary institution.