OPHIR.

Dunstan Times, Issue 911, 3 October 1879, Page 3

OPHIR.

(Communicated.) ENTERTAINMENT. The Ophir Variety Company gave an entertainment on the 2Glh instant to a ■row Jed house. The Company although consisting only of gentlemen known to the public of this district, appeared for the first time altogether. After a few well chosen remarks by the Chairman (Mr Alexander), the curtain rose to the 2nd scene, act 3, of Othello. Mr Gay, as Othello, made up and acted with a scrupulous retard for the particular significance of the character, and in doing this completely sank his own identity. His acting where he threatens lago was very natural, and elicited a well deserved round of applause. As lago Mr Hornby showed plainly tint the boards were anything but unfamiliar to him, by playing his part with commendable discernment ; in fact as n crafty determined villain it was a completely natural piece of acting, and it has a definiteness of meaning which is never for a moment lost sight of. At the end of thn piece the audience were effusive in their expressions of satisfaction lu the musical portion of the entertainment the Company opened with the beautiful chorus “Star of Peace,” which was well rendered, with the able assistance of Mr Campbell, who accompanied throughout. Mr M‘Kay’s song “The Sweet Little Letter” was given with excellent taste anl fine feeling. Mr Quinn delighted the audience with two of his original recitations. This gentleman has quite a natural talent for this style of composition. Mr M‘i ’onnocliie gave that favourite old ballad “Tom Bowline” with great feeling and expression. “ Don’t Give the Name a Bad Place,” by Mr Hornby, in delineation of a German peasant, was very amusing and was warmly encored. The phenomenal alto of the Company, Mr Jackson, gave “ The Gipsy's Warning ” in g,and form The delineations of negro character, including songs and jokes which were very plentiful, kept the audience in roars of laughter. The farce “Scenes in the Studio,” by Messrs Gay, Jackson, and Ryan, caricatured the business of a photographer to perfection. The above named gentlemen seemed quite at home in this line. A plantation walk-round and chorus by the Company brought one of the most successful entertainments ever given in Ophir to a close. After which the hall was cleared for dancing, which was kept up in real hearty coo 1 style to the beautiful strains of Mr M‘Kay’s violin Great praise is due to Mrs Ryan for the artistic skill in which she manipulated the various costumes.

Esttertaismest is" Prospect. Talking of the Sydney Exhibition the other night, 1 was very much amused to hear an old crony and staunch admirer of Captain Wiliam Jakson Barry, sketch out bright prospects in future store for his old fiieud. This disciple of the Captain’s is open to bet fiPy dollars-That the Captain succeeds in releasing the Tichborne Claim ant from gaol. That done, he will have little difficulty in effecting negotiations with Sir Julius to rent old “ Cetewayo,” the Zulu king, and even it too late to show the pair at the Sydney Exhibition, he could make a grand tower of the Colonies. He could take in Cromwell on the return trip, and stay a month or so for the sak“ of Anld Lang Syne, and on his departure to regale the public with a roasted bullock The festivities would be superintended by an exM iyor, who with strict official and jealous e\e. for the credit of tlieii model town, while doing honor to its primary Chief Magistrate would see everything done brown. >ir George Grey would make a second visit to Cromwell, in honor of the occasion, bruizing Macandrew with him, as of course they would render Jack every assistance with his show The idea is a grand one, I can almost fancy I can see old Jack arranging the affair before a good assembly, graced with iho presence of Sir George and Mae the Captain dividing his stolen looks of admiration between his illustrious visitors, and the wonderful celebrities he has the honor to place before their gaze, anil declaiming on some of the remarkable incidents of their lives, and his own prowess in securing them for the trip. Oh, Barnum, thou Prince of Showmen, you will soon be eclipsed !