THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' ENTERTAINMENT.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXI, Issue 30, 23 November 1894, Page 19

THE CHRISTIAN BROTHERS' ENTERTAINMENT.

The entertainment in aid of the Christian Brothers' school, given in toe City Hall, Dunedin, on Friday evening, was in cv >ry sense a brilliant Bnccsss. The hall was densely throngei ; the performance was excellent, and the acdience was appreciative. The proscenium had been tastefully adoroed with flowers for the occasion, and scenery had been kindly lent by the Kennedy Deenng Company— who have been for some time performing in the hall. The programme begin with the choruses, "Our own native land," and " The sing of Ih.> Irish Brigade." On the drawiig-up of the curtain, the boya, ranged in rows, rising gradutlly from the level of Uie stage in front, where the little fellows stool, to a height of some few feet at the back which was occupied by the bigger ones, presented a very bright and pleasant appearance. Thair singing throughout th« night wascipital—crisp, harmonious and musical. The choruses wers followed by a pretty part song, " Music on the water," which waa sung by selected voices. Next came musicil drill— wan! exercises, to wit, performed b> the junior class, to an accompaniment on the piano— played with spirit by Mr Arthur Hal. The boys went through their evolutions, which were intricate and varied, with great exactues-i an 3 dexterity' well deserving the lou I applausa bestowed upon them. A s jio, " The isle that's crowned with snamrock," was thea sun? by Master J. Ward— wno appeared in an appropriate costume of green an i wmte' and whose eingiag w*s particularly pui\) ani B we;t. In response to an encore he sang " Saucti Maria" Master F. Stokts— who asj played the acsompaniments of tha sinking— gave an admirable p<rformaoce on the piano of Kowalski's '• Vlarcha Hongroih-e." Pirt I. terminated with the piece de resistance of the cv, niny— -\\ > trial scene from the " Merchant of Venice." Tqis was playe 1 with appro, priate scenery and in cos une. lhe Duke, a venerable elder— with a golden crown ami robe** of snowy whi c, richly pmbruidur.j 1, tilled an elevated triouadl. To kft and right beneath sat sernt-jrs of siem countenances, recalling by thjir aspect meunrirs of the lioa'a mjuth and bridge of sighg, A chair at his Grace's feet was placed for Portia— where, oy an \ by, clad in the lawyer'o cip Q nd gown, she took her seat. Before her came N -ridaa, attire 1 as a law clerk. Master E. Bu*h touk the part of the Djkj, which he represented with a most becomiag dignity. Master George Gottur was an intelligent and fluent Portia. Master J. Whuty did what he had to do as Nerissa very well, Antonio, m the peisoa of Master J. Callan, was arrayed in a doublet of black slashed with scarlet, fawo-coloure-i hose, and broad crimped collar, and acted with manliness and understanding. Baßsaoio, represented by Master N. Ryan, w<js dressed ir> a similar style, but m brighter colour?, ag became a bridegroom. He also played his idle meri'orious'y. Shylock was, as he ought always to be, a horror — all tie more hornb'e, became of his diminutive size. Master E. Poppelwell, who filled tha part, is a very little b>y. He wore a red zab-irdine. Htg head waa bald and taaned, and fringed with a few frowsy locks ; bis beard was long aud grey. He had reaJy his scales and his knife, which he whetted slowly, with a dehbe§ate and silent glee that it frozj the blood to jontemplate. There was a restrained but determined ferocity in his tones as be insisted ' on bis bond and tbat alone, tint came straight from the depths of a relentless, savage heart. The performance on the whole was remarkable—wonderful, indeed, taking into consideration the age of the little boy. Gratiano, represented by Master D. O'NVill, wore his beard bravely, and mocked the Jew famously. His playing also was exceedingly clever. Master G. Ciaghlin, as Silariao, acquitted himeelf with merit. The acting of the boys throughout the scene was spirited and in every respect most creditable to all concerned.

The secord portion of the programme -opened with Indian club exercises— performed, as before, to the music of the piano— by the senior class, and also a very deft display. Master J, Ward then saDg

a solo, "My Dream," with vocal accompaniment. This was a norel and very pretty musical device. A. number of select voices hummed the harmonies, paying nice attention to the lights and shades. The melody, the while, was very daintily, but clearly and distinctly, bustamed by the solo singer. Master Georga Cotter gare a skilful performance on the violin of a selection from Balfa's " Bohemian Girl," in which he was nicely accompanied on the p'ano by Master J. Wal«h. The sc »ne from " The Rivals," in which Sir Anthony Absolute announces his matrimonial intentions for his son, followed. The part of Sir Anthony was entrusted to Master J Murray, and we may remark in passmg that if Shyhck was a horror Sir Anthony w*a a terror. The actor seemed born to the part of a fijry old gentlemio, the master of a viuleat vocabulary. His hoary wig was 'sympathetically wagged an i his hobble was a study. His choler would have been frightful had it not been funny. The laughter of the andience affjrtel them a welcome relief. Master W. Miller made a vigorous Captain Absolute Master N. Ryan as Fag was volnb'.e and energetic, an 3 Master D, Beard as the boy did honour to his white paper'cap,' shirt s'eevea and aproi. Tne scene was brightly playei, and gave great amu9em»n\ Tuj singing c'asa then sung as a chorus Tennyson's ■' RroGk "

At the conclusiou Iho Very Rev Father Lynch addressed from the pi tform a few words to 'he audience. He said that were he tj sand a telegram aanounci-g the resal's of the evening to Brother Hughes whom they w mid deligtr, or to Bro'her M igee, he would say] "Splendid success, fin-* perform ince, im-n-nse attendance." The performance did the Brothers great credit, and spoke eloqi«ntly for the character of their t -aching Th > Caiistua Broth-rs had recently gained groat successes iv the Interrmdia'e Examinations in Ireland. They hai a ; way^ bean succ-j-^ful th-re but th a year they had been so more than ever. Their scho sis cv. j rj where stood among the very first and wtj diirpasu-d by qotc Tht y give ample opportunity to the Catholic people to educate their children si that they might hold their own with those wh ie immaoded the highes fad vantages, The very rev speaker want on to ailuda to the competition wnich had just taken place for a priz> off red by himself for an essay on the best way of creating and fo^'ering a love of Ireland among the colonialborn children of Irish se'tlers. rh^y saw, he said, the war. What they had heard to-night made it p'ra to them. The winner of the prize had b;pn Mr Thomas M'Ojrmack, of Woodhaugh. Bat he refused to accept the three guine-s. He had told him (Father Lynch) to give theoa mstoal to the Christian Brothers. Father Lynch then called upoa Brother D jnohue to come forward from behind the scenes to show himself and receive the m m^y. '

When ih-jßrotier Superior had answered the cill and, among acclama'ion«, receive! thj prize, in paper currency and silver, the chorus "Good-night" was sung and the audience s 'parated.

We may add that when mention was mvle of Brothers Hughes and Magee there had been loud applause. Father Lynch besides had cheered the audience by giving them a favourable report of the health of the Moat Rev Dr Moran. He bad j i*t ome in, he said from a visit to hie Lordship and had left him wonderfully improved. The report of to-night's snccess, for which the Bishop had fervently wished would, he assured them, bo a most effective medicina for him.