GREYMOUTH.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 14, 22 January 1892, Page 25

GREYMOUTH.

(From an occasional Correspondent.) December 27th, 1891. Our much-deferred and long-anticipated concert came off on Wednesday last, in the Volunteer Hall, and was, to say the least of it, a thorough success. Grave doubts had been entertained before the entertainment as to whether the performers would be able to do fnll justice to so phenomenally heavy a programme, but any such doubts must have been dispelled by last Wednesday night's performance. The pieces staged were, " The Area Belle," a farce ; and " The Lady of Lyons," in burlesque, and we must indeed compliment the management upon selecting pieces so suited to a Catholic audience, both " The Area Bella " and " The Lady of Lyons " being almost entirely free of any of the nonsensical and frothy sentiment, so predominant in our modern plays. " The Area Belle " was staged first, the characters being as follows :— Penelope (the area belle), Miss M. Dupre* ; Pitchur (in the police), Mr H. Mulvihill ; Tosser (in the grenadiers), Mr P. M'Uullough ; Walker Chalks (milkman), Mr F. Malvihill ; Mrs Croaker (the missus), Mrs A. Yarrall. Miss M. Dupre made a model servant girl, the scene in which she indignantly refuse! Walker Chalk's offer of marriage being an excellent piece of acting. Mr H. Mulvihill and Mr P. M'Cullough (Penelope's ardent lovers) created much amusement by their numerous blunders, and the awkward position they were placed in when Mrs Croaker arrived on the scene literally brought down the house. Mrs Yarrall played the part of the erratic and eccentric Mn Croaker to pel feet ion, while Mr F. Mulvihill, as Walker Chalks, showed promise of great capacity for low comedy. " The Lady of Lyons " was then staged, and passed off with even greater eclat than its predecessor, The dramati* pertona were as follows :— M. Beauseant, Mr P. M'Cullough ; Colonel Damas, Mr Wickes ; Claude Melnotte, Mr D. Jones ; Gaapar, Mr H Mulvibill ; Landlord of Golden Lion, Mr Matthews ; the family porter, Mr Moore ; M. Deschapelles, Mr F. Mulvihill ; Madams Deschapelles, Mrs Yarrall ; Pauline (the Lady of Lyons), Miss M. Dupre ; Janet, Miss S. Dupre ; Widow Melnotte, Mr F. J. Elmer. Miss M. Dupre and Mr P. M'Culiough were the most prominent of the leading characters, and I must compliment the former very much indeed for the manner in which she sustained her exceedingly heavy part. Mr M'Collough made a decidedly clever hit as Beauseant, and displayed talents which a professional might well be proud of. He had an able companion in his 2>2 >r °tfy c < Mr D. Jones, who, as he once or twice him* self remarked, had the " air of a true poet." Mr F. Elmer, who took upon himself the representation of the Widow Melnotta, showed himself to be quite an adept in the difficult iole of a famale character, and his " rolley polley " action song convulsed the entire andience. All the other characters were equally well sustained, Mr F. Mulvihill and Mr E. A. Wickes being heartily applauded for the amusing scene in which the latter questions the genuineness of Claude Melnotte's title, and is severely rebuked by the burly shopkeeper in consequence. Altogether the performance was the best amateur production ever witnessed on the toast, the costumes and scenery being unique in their way ; while it is sufficient guarantee for the quality of the music to say that it was under the supervision of Miss N. Hannan. In conclusion, I would throw out as a suggestion, now the performers have broken the ice, that the piece be repeated either in Brnnnerton or Beef ton, in aid of some Catholic object in this parish. Our Catholic congregation have had a considerable drain on their purses for the laat few years, and I am sure would hail with delight any little financial aid in the manner indicated. The town, which presented an unusually lively appearance during Christmas week, has now settled down to its wonted course, the visitors from up-country and neighbouring districts having all returned to their respective homes. On Christmas night, mid-night Mass was celebrated at St Patrick'• church, the Rev Father Carew officiating. The inside of the church presented a very pretty appearance, the pillars being tastefully decorated with creeping plants, ferns, flowers, etc. The High Altar looked a perfect blaze of lights, flowtrs, and ornaments, the moat striking of the decorations being the richly-worked scroll, with the words, " Gloria in Excelßis " thereon, which bung right in the centre o f the altar, against a background of daik drapery, had a very pretty effect. The Rev Father Carew delivered a very impressive sermon, choosing for his text, Christ's redemption of mankind. As is usually the case, the bu lding was crowded to the doors.

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We bad all been looking forward to our pic-nic as an opportunity for enjoying a sniff of the briny, and enjoying a delicions ramble among the paddocks of Mr Eeeny's farm, on the North Beach. But the clerk of the weather ordained it otherwise. The weather assumed inch a threatening aspect the night preceding the pic-nic, that the committee wisely decided to hold it in to urn, end Victoria Park was the spot selected. Up till four o'clock in the evening the children enjoyed themselves as only children can, and all went " merry as a wedding bell," when, presto ! down came the rain in pitiless torrents. The people of Brunnerton intend holding their annual pic-nic in Eileen's paddock at the Arnold, on Wednesday next. It is to be boped that more favourable weather than favoured our gatheriog will be aaoorded them.