ENTERTAINMENT.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 508, 27 May 1881, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT.

In the evening a musical and dramatic entertainment was given at the Oddfellows' Hall, Akaioa, the proceeds of which were to devoted to the sports fund. A very fair house assembled, and the efforts of the performers to please were evidently successful, to judge by tlie demonstrations of approbation accorded them by the audience. The entertainment commenced by tho performers singing " God save the Queen "in chorus. This was followed by an instrumental duet on airs from "Martha," played by Miss and Mr J. Grange. Mrs Stockor then sang "It was a dream" very sweetly, and elicited an enthusiastic encore. From this point on ward, every piece was re-de-manded. Mr Billens next sung "The Midshipmite" in excellent style, and had to repeat a portico of it. Miss Grange next gave a vocal solo, accompanying herself, after which Mrs Stocker and Mr Fay sang a duet '' My pretty page." They acquitted themselves very well, although the gentleman had undertaken tho part at a very short notice, in consequence of Mr L. Watkins, who was to have taken it being precluded by illness from fulfilling his engagement. Mrs W. H. Barry then sung " Pipita," and in response to a most enthusiastic encore, gave "Ye happy birds." She was accompanied on the piano by Mrs Stocker, and each song elicited the most marked expressions of approbation. The next item on the programme was a marvellous performance by the " Wizard of the South," in whom we fancied we recognised the lineaments of a well-known draper residing not a hundred miles from Beach road. Tho way the Wizard made an egg travel from one hat to another, and finally emerge as a chicken was a sight worth seeing. After another song from Miss Grange, Mrs Barry and Mr Billens sang a duet " I heard a voice " with great taste, and this was followed by an effective recitation by Mr T. Grange. Mr C. Martin, a visitor to Akaroa then wing a couple of comic songs with great gusto, accompanying himself on the piano. The before mentioned " Wizard" then appeared, and recited a piece of poetry showing the evil influsnce of drink on one McMulJin, who through it came to unmitigated grief, and this brought the musical portion of the entertainment to a close. We must not omit to mention the valuable assistance rendered by Mrs W. 11. Barry in accompanying most of the singers, besides her vocal contributions.

After a brief interval the curtain rose on what the bills not inaptly described as a " screaming farce," entitled " Two heads are better than one." As in all farces, there was of course any of absurdity and improbability in the little affair, but it went well, and sent the audience home in high good humor. The performers are entitled to every credit for the manner in which they acquitted themselves, more especially, as with one exception, they were all entirely new to the stage. Tlie parts were taken by Miss Hood, Messrs T. Grange, M. Daly, J. Roberts, and Wiggins. Miss Hood played to the life the character of a charmiug young lady in love with a virtuous young man, who, of course is impecunious. Mr T. Grange made the most of the some- > what thankless part of the said virtuous ( youth. Mr M. Daly astonished those who . knew him, by the excellent manner in which he represented a respectable elderly '

gentleman, old enough to he his own . grandfather. Mr Roberts took the part of a youth next door to an idiot, and completely " fetched " the audience by his life-like portroyal of the character, while Mr Wiggins enacted the traditional stage uncle, irritable, crusty, and with the usual contempt for honest poverty manifested by the class. Altogether tho performers are to be congratulated, and we hope, that, now they have made a beginning, they will continue something of the kind for the long winter evoningß, which are now setting in. We are glad to learn that the receipts on thiflloccasion were eatisfactory, as will be seen elsewhere.