THE ATHENÆUM BENEFIT.

Western Star, Issue 809, 16 January 1884, Page 2

THE ATHENÆUM BENEFIT.

TO THE EDITOB. Sxe, —As a rule, the above institution seems* when any funds are attempted to be raised by entertainment for its benefit, to fall into most unfortunate hands. If I .remember rightly, every entertainment, with the exception of the concert in 1882, has proved financially a non-success ; indeed, I remember one benefit, where the musical director of the same, who had just arrived from Invercargill, and who consequently held the opinion that musically there could be nothing good in Eiverton, determined to give us a grand musical treat. The performance itself was not in any way superior to what might have been heard here before, many times and oft, but this gentleman’s philanthropy cast/; the Athenaeum funds 30s, to make up the balance of expenses—that is to say, the Athenaeum were 30s out of pocket. The people of Eiverton were not electrified by the treat provided for them, and the less said about the opinion of the subscribers to the Institution on the occasion, the better, the expression of feeling being tolerably interlarded with adjectives of the superlative degree. True, it muy be said that the night was stormy, and this certainly did interfere with toe attendance. One would have thought this would have been a lesson to keep down expenses at any subsequent entertainment. Has it done so? No! rather the reverse. And why? Well, sir, it is of no use for anyone who knows the slightest workings of these benefit entertainments to deny that the Institution worked for is a secondary consideration, and the desire to appear before the public, to ba the recipient of a little fl ittery, or may be welldeserved praise, as the case may be—to be correctly me amorphosed in appearance to represent the character allotted, is the first thought. To a degree this is very proper, but there is a medium in all things, and wet and stormy nights are to be considered. It should be remembered that when an institution receives a benefit, and even should this turn out a failure, it is hardly possible for (he recipient to again seek the sympathy of the public in the same way unless at least, twelve months intervenes, as each institution in its turn deserves support. Therefore, sir, it behoves promoters of these performances to look at every penny of unnecessary expense, so that as much money possible may be given to the object played for. Let our amateurs choose simple pieces, which will be inexpensive in their production, leaving it to professional companies to produce burlesque, drama, &c. How, sir, taka the exception I refer to (’B2), at 3s, 2s, and Is, the receipts were £25 15s. After deducting all expenses (including a loss of £2 on special train to Thornbury), the net sum banded over to the Athen»um was £l6 14s 61, thus showing the actual cost of the entertainment itself to be £7 Os 6d. This result shows extremely good management, and the performance itself was a far more enjoyable one than the last one given, the expense of which within a couple of pounds comes up to the takings of ’B2. I think, sir. this unwarrantable amount of expense shows on utter disregard as to what amount the Athenaum was to derive from the public support, and no wonder one or two of the performers felt a kind of dread as to what would have been the upshot should the night have turned out wet and uncomfortable. It may be said the performance could have been repeated. I can say confidently “ Lurline ” as performed on Night might, on its reproduction,*have drawn a moderate house of those who live in the country, but certainly very few who were present its first production would have cared for a second dose. I do not mean in any way to cast any reflection upon Mr and Mrs Hesfotd, who no doubt had a great many difficulties to contend with in producing the burlesque, and who kindly lent most of the handsome dresses worn, but I say the p’eee should never have been attempted, both in the inlerests of the performers themselves, and the Athenteum exchequer. A less ambitious attempt, with the same attendance (and seeing the day it was, and the favorable weather, I don’t think, sir, (here would have been much difference), £3O would have been the net proceeds, instead of as published in your columns, a miserable £l4 Bs.—l am, &e., Aegus. P.S. —I notice that goods to the amount of £5 15s (Robertson Bros’ and another account) still remain on hand. Of course if theso are sold the total aet receipt will probably tot up considerably higher.