TRIAL BY JURY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 138, 29 October 1886, Page 2

TRIAL BY JURY

Owing to the exceedingly Inclement weather the attendance of the public at the Oddfellows’ Hall on Thursday evening was by no means commensurate with the merits of the performance, a circumstance which will doubtless be fully compensated for this evening The programme opened with an excellent rendition by the full band of the Orchestral Society of “Italian! in Algleri,” given in a stile which would have done no discredit to professionals. Mr Simpson, who is the fortunate possessor of a voice of great purity and power, then sang, to tho admirable accompaniment of Mi Brooks, the favorite tenor song, “Anchored,” for which he received a well-deserved encore. Then came the very pretty song “Gates of the West,” by Miss Builtr, who has a remarkably true, clear soprano voice which was heard to great advantage, and this lady needs only a little more confidence in her own power to take a premier place among our vocalists. Tlu-u followed one of Mr Wood’s brilliant violin solos, “The Minstral B -y”, and next an exceedingly pretty tong by Mrs Denshire, “She wandered down tho Mountain Side,” the rt nerding of which left nothing to be desired, the upper notes b dug commanded with great ease The first pare of tho progi ammo w:>B brought to a close by «Mos»rt’a Mag e Fiute,” given by tho o cbestra in capital time and deservedly applauded. After an interval of ton minutes t’ e curtain rose to the c niic ' poretta, “ Inal by Jurj,” for which the cas wr.s as follows Judge, Mr Baddoley; judge’s assoc ate, Mr \V. E. Dolmen ; plaintiff, Mr Crisp ; defendant, Mr Stephenson : counsel for plaintiff, Mr Atkinson ; foreman of jury, Mr J. Fooks ; bridesmaids Miss Kidd (chief), Miss Butler, Miss Calvert., Mrs Curtis, Mrs Dunn, Mrs MoOwen, Miss Shury ; usher, Mr McLean Dunn. The piece was dressed most sdmirably, the -gowns and wigs of the officers of tho Court being the real thing and giving to the scene a vraisemblance which helped greatly towards tho soc 'ess of the piece, while the rich dresses of tho ladies lent to it a charm of grace and color not often seen in a Court of Justice. Tho dress'or the bride (tne plaintiff) was of rich wlvte satin with flowing train, and the lady carried a ioveiy bouquet of rare flowers, he? attendant bridesmaids in pale blue, ordinal, dove and mauve, making her look like a lily in the midst of a gay paoture. It is needhss to say that Mr liiddnley filled the role of Judge to perfection, and M s Crisp as bride scored an immense success, Tho unpopular part of defendant was admirably filled ; Mr Stevenson, whose acting as well as that of plaintiff's counsel, Mr Atkinson, had all the finish of professional performance?. All tho minor parts were creditably taken, and the ujusic throughout very satisfactorily rendered. Altogether the performance was one which reflects tho greatest possible credit upon tho Orchestral Society generally, spd upon Mr Dolman who discharged the difficult duties of stage manager. We cap safely assure tho public that Trial by Jury is thoroughly well worth going to see, and we hope to see a bumper honae la the Oddfellows’ Ball this evening,