AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 2891, 25 May 1872, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

MUKKAV’s CIRCUS The circus building not having been completed, the entertainment did not take place last evening. It is to be regretted that no timely intimation to this effect was given, as some hundreds of intending spectators attended, and were disappointed. The performance will, however, take place this evening. MASONIC HALL. Professor Haselmayer gave two more enertainments at the Masonic Hall yesterday, tone in the afternoon specially for children, and the other in the evening. Both were well attended and gave general satisfaction. This afternoon there was a farewell matinee, which was also will attended, and this evening the professor announces a positively last appearance. BAND OK HOPE. The anniversary meeting of this body was held m the hall below the Wesleyan Church, and was largely attended. The Rev. Dr Copland was chairman. The committee’s report showed that since October last the number of members had increased by 147, making the total membership up to the 17th instant 442. The committee availed themselves of the opportunity of denying the report in circulation that the society had any connection with the Wesleyan or any other body ; their present meeting place was selected on account of the liberal terms offered by tho church trustees. The balancesheet showed the total receipts from October 6th, 1871, to the 17th inst., to be L 67 7s; and the expenditure L 66 18s 7d. oddfellow’s hall. The tenth anniversary of the Loyal Dunedin I.odge, M.U.1.0.0.F., was held in the hall last evening ; the celebration taking the form of a concert and ball. The affair was a decided success; the room being crowded. His Worship the Mayor as a past N.G. presided at the concert, which went off very well. There was a capital programme of recitations, and songs, a feature of the latter being the negro oddities by two Oddfellows. “ Prosperity to the lodge,” was proposed by P.G.M. Bro. Swan ; and, in replying to the toast, the N.G. Bro. Gibbs read a statement of the lodge’s progress since its last anniversary. It had at present ninety members on the books, and the receipts for the past year were L 350. For the relief of the sick and distressed LSO had been paid; to the chemist, LB2; district levies and sundries, L 7 3; while there now remained to the credit of the lodge, the total value of which was L 1,600, the sum of L 145. The room was afterwards cleared , for dancing, which was spiritedly kept up till an early hour this morning, the music being supplied by Miss Lack, Mr Lack and Mr Wright, SOIRKE. The annual soiree of the First Church Young Men’s Association was held in the hall under the church last evening. There

was a large attendance of members and friends, and the room was tastefully de ;o rated with flags, banners, and pictures. Mr Charles Moore occupied the chair, and after making some opening remarks,'called Upon the secretary (Mr Mollison) to read":the report, which state 1 that there had been twenty-five meetings of the Association, three lectures had been delivered, and eight essays read by the members. There was also a balance in the ha'ids of the treasurer. The report also sta‘ed that although the attendance h&d not been large, the success of the Association as a whole would bear comparison with former sessions, and the committee looked forward to still greater success when the church became more settled. Mr Mollison concluded with some well-chosen and appropriate remarks ; and speeches were, delivered by Mr R. A. Lawson, Mr A. C. Begg, Mr Wales, and delegates from the Kuox Church, Roslyn, and Kaikorai, and other kindred institutions. Duetts, songs, and recitations were given by several ladies and gentlemen in a manner that contributed materially to the evening’s entertainment; and Mr Peter Duncan i-ead a humorous poem of his own composition referring to the trials and triumphs of the Association. Refreshments were provided during the evening, and a very pleasant evening was brought to a close by the company singing the National Anthem. PRINC S3 THEATRE. Last evening “ Dearer than Life,” one of Byron’s latest thiee-act comedies, was produced at the Princess Theatre. It is one of those dramas, unfortunately too common in real life. An only son, indulged by mother and father, good honest people, sets up for a fast man, and is induced by his flash associates to go somewhat heavily into horse racing. As is the fate of too many young ones, he loses more than he can pay, is dismissed frem his situation and brings distress and poverty upon his family This is intensified by the conduct of one of the youth’s wild companions, and a besotted old uncle of his, who steals anything he can lay his hands upon to spend in drink. The redeeming features in the picture are a patient, enduring, loving, trusting girl, cousin to the scamp Charley, who in his very worst dilemma retains her faith in him, and resists tlie offers of marriage of the man whom she instinctively feels has been his evil genius. It would be well if such graphic scenes of misery induced by drink and profligacy produced their proper effect upon mankind, for it is not often that in real life one who has sunk so low redeems himself In “ I ; earer than Life,” however, the hen, Charley, takes warning in time, and after a short absence returns in time to save his family fmm utter ruin, and to claim his charmiug cousin for his bride. From this slight sketch it will be seen there is plenty of room for effective situations and Byron has made the best of them. Mbs Anstead represented the heroine, Lucy Garner, which lost none of the charm with which Byron has invested it by her performance. Mrs O’Brien was Mrs Gavan; the part of Charley was played very effectively by Mr Booth; M r Musgrave appeared as Michael, and Mr Hydes as Uncle Ben. The part of Gassett was entrusted to Mr O’Brien. We need not criticise the style in which each character was sustained, for each was true to nature. Between the first and second pieces, Messrs Roberts aud Proseer exhibited their gymnastic feats. Bach, elegant in figure, performs the most extraordinary feats with such perfect ease and self-possession as to render those which seem most dangerous pleasant to witness. They do what few would believe passible were it not that it is done. Their efforts were greeted with loud applause. The very pleasant afterpiece, " The King’s Gardener,” closed the |performance. Thesc-nery, the dresses, and everything on the stage, were in keeping Miss Willis, Miss Raymond, and Mr Hydes sustained the principal characters; and threw a drollery into this witty piece which cannot be described. They were loudly cheered when the curtain fell. We were glad to see a capital house ; and as the same piece will be played to night, we trust the management will meet with equal encouragement.