ENTERTAINMENT AT MASTERTON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XII, Issue 23, 26 September 1884, Page 27

ENTERTAINMENT AT MASTERTON.

(Wairarapa Daily, August 23.)

Last evening it was found for the first time in the experiences of the Masterton Theatre Royal that the building was not big enough to hold the audience which assembled to enjoy the entertainment got up under the auspices of the Catholic School Committee. The house was crowded throughout, and before th i overture was playci every available seat was filled. This result, Considering the inclemency of the weather, was a most gratifying tribute to ths success of th-5 efforts of the managing committee. The programme was long and varied. The intervals between the several sections of it were filled by the Masterton String Band which played operatic selections in admirable time and tune, The first piece was "a clever comedietta entitled " A bilious attack," which was produced in Masterton on this occasion for the first time and with great success. Mr. G. Coker, a veteran amateur, who is always effective, played the leading character of "Job Jiniwin" with considerable ability, making all his points in a manner which was all the more telling ho-n it benuj free from exaggeration or burlesque. He was ably assisted by Miss Beaufort, wno, in the role of Mrs. Jiniwin, appeared to the greatest advantage. Cecil River ton as " Batay " was as -a mitter of course a great feature ia the piece, aud Mr. G. Armstrong put some gojd acting into the pact of " Captain Marmaduke Myrtle." The piece was well put upon the stage, and received by the audience with the utmost favour. Part 11. consisted of musical seleciion*. A gle e, " See our oars with fe ithered spray," sang by the eh jir bjys and the members of the Orpheus Club, was loudly encored, and a piano solo from Miss Jessie Corbett was well received. Mr. S. H. Wickefson sang a pleasing ballad which evoked loud applause, and Mr. Tierney was equally successful with a cornet solo. A duet by Miss Wafdell and Mr. Coleman evoked considerable enthusiasm, and the membera of the Orpheus Glee Club produced the best specimen from their inexhaustible repertory that they have yet favoured the public with. Their singing last evening was exceptionally good. Mr. G. Coker scored a success with a patriotic song, " There never was a coward where the Shamrock grows,'' and responded to an enthusiastic encore by repeating an old favourite " The Awful Little Scrub." Mr. Rapp and his choir boys were there, and had a new song with novel choral effect, which, as usual, carried the house by storm, an i mecessitated a second edition being then and there produced. In the musical interlude which constituted the second part of the entertainment, Mrs. Paige kindly assisted by playing the accompaniments for several of the vocalists. "My Turn Next " was the title of the principal effort of the Masterton Amateur Cluo, which wound up the programme. In this clever farce Mr. Cecil Riverton assumed the title role as •• Mr. Teraxicum Twitters," an amorous chemist who plunged into a matrimonial vortex, makes a number of amusing and absurd blunders, which are the life of the piece. Mr. Rivertou is both a-i actor and a humorist, and be kept the house in roars of laughter by a display of histiionic talent, wnich few amateurs possess to so marked an extent. G. Armstrong as " Tim Bolus " was very amusing. His representation of this indicated that his forte is burlesque, and that his future success as an actor is only a question of time. Mr. A Thompson played his part as " Tom Trap " quietly and unostentatiously. Mr. G. Coker filled the bill as Farmer Whitear, and the remaining characters were admirably portrayed by the lady members of the Dramatic Club. The lady who took the part of " Peggy ' made her debut on this occasion and promises to be a vivacious and clever actress. It was evident to anyone who had the opportunity of contrasting the amateurs who appeared on the boards last evening with their predec :ssors " the professionals " that the comparison was all in favour of the former. During the course of tnu performance, >ir. A. R. Bunny took an opportunity of expressing the thanks of the Catholic School Committee to the public for the very- large amount of support which thjir entertainment had received, aud especially to all who had directly assisted by taking part in the programme, and by disposing of tickets. [ The sum realised w s over £50. J