THE GREYMOUTH FLOODS.

Evening Star, Issue 2818, 29 February 1872, Page 2

THE GREYMOUTH FLOODS.

The entertainment given at the theatre last evening by the Colored Opera Troupe was in aid of the sufferers by the Grey floods ; and so laudable au object could scarce fail to draw a good house. But the attendance was more than good ; it was exceedingly large, all parts of the house being inconveniently tilled ; and the relief fund has in conserpience been so far augmented as to render the sum contributed by Dunedin very respectable. In the course of the evening the Mayor came to the footlights, and, in thanking the audience for their patronage, announced that the theatre had been granted free of charge by Mr Sibbald ; that Mr Lar>

nach had supplied the gas gratis; and that the Baili/ Times and Evening Star had decliued to charge for the advertisements—a serious item in the expenses of these enter- | tainmeuts. To all those gentlemen he had to convey his thanks ; and last, but not least, to the performers. On the application, continued his Worship, being made to the secretary of the troupe it was laid before them at once, and generously acceded to ; and he was enabled to state that the troupe were at all times ready to give their services for charitable purposes. Although he thought the entertainment was an excellent one for amateurs, he had been requested to apologise on behalf of the troupe for any shortcomings on their part, which were to be accoanted for by the fact that they had not intended performing before the 7th prox. ; and had only consented at his earnest request to appear earlier. He believed the proceeds of the entertainment would raise the amount of the fund subscribed in Dune Un to about L2OO ; and it would doubtless be gratifying to the audience to know that he had received a telegram from the Mayor of Groymouth, intimating that the sums now collected at Dunedin and in other parts of the colony, would be quite sufficient to cover the wants of the sufferers. This latter announcement was received with loud applause. And now a word or two as to the entertainment. The apology for the troupe, which was made through the Mayor, was necessary, for there was a too evident want of rehearsal; and there were apparent some defects which should be at once remedied, if the troupe desires to occupy the position it has hitherto held. The instrumentalists are not so strong as before ; but they play well together under their conductor, whom we are glad to see in his old place. The overtures last night were nicely played—the “Express Train Galop” operatic selections being especially good. The gentleman who essayed the part of “ bones” is to be congratulated on his first attempt in that line; he was perfectly at home, and at once became a favorite with the audience. We wish we could say the same for “tambo.,” who must improve vastly, or he will be a source of weakness to the troupe. The principal features of the concert were Mr Corn’s solo, “ My Home in Kentuck ” (deservedly encored); Mr Wilson’s “ Blueeyed Nell ” ; and the last-mentioned gentleman’s song, “ My Pretty Jane,” which had to be repeated. Mr Oorri also sang the aria, “See yon Rose,” but was so terribly flat that it was difficult to imagine he was singing at all. Mr Westropp created roars of laughter by his outre make-up and action as the priraa donna in the finale, “Echoes of the Opera,” which was a well-conceived and well-executed tr.ivestie. A word of praise is due to the conductor, who took off Signor Zelman to perfection. The same gentleman and a Mr Webb earlier in the evening danced “Faded Evening Glories” in a style which reminded one trongly of the originals in the A merican troupe. Mr Moss presided at the piano.