AMUSEMENTS.

Evening Star, Issue 3043, 19 November 1872, Page 2

AMUSEMENTS.

]'lf IXCF.SS THEATRJS. Although many will regret that Miss Jenny Nye, so long known and respected in connection with the Princess Theatre, is leaving the Colony, every one will be glad to learn that her farewell benefit was well attended last evening. Perhaps the house might have been more completely filled bad another evening been chosen, for there were many other amusements tending to divide public attention : Miss Nye must, therefore, feel gratified that her merits were so handsomely recognised. The piece represented was “London Assurance,” an old favorite that needs no description, for most must have been amused with the different phases of “ London Assurance” as illustrated in the cool roue, Sir Harcourt Courtley ; the young scamp, Charles Courtley; the swindling loafer, Dazzle; and the pettifogging lawyer on the look-out for business, no matte? what coat, Mark Afeddle. Each of tlics'o characters was most truthfully pictured by Mr Hoskins, Mr H. N, Douglas, Mr Booth, and Mr Hesford. The contrast between aristocratic and democratic swindling, and how 1 emos preys upon Aristos, were well and most laughably brought out, The further contrast between country simplicity and Txmdon assurance was equally prominently brought out by the dashing Lady Gay Spanker, Grace Harkaway, Mary Harkaway, and Pert. Miss Colville’s Lady Gay was a charming representation: ladylike, spirited, and arch. We have seldom seen it so free from hoydenishness, a trait of character that is usually dragged into it. Miss Nye appeared to great advantage as Grace, and Mr Musgravc acted with his mlt)tommy abpfty as the straightforward ZoLhpnting old sqqirp, Dolly Spanker a very faithful representative in Mr Inglitj, and the remaining characters were well sqg, tained. The loud and frequent plaudits of the audience were not more significant of approval than the burst of laughter that seemed Irrepressible. The concluding portion of the entertainment was of a mixed character. Miss Marion Wiliis danced a Highland dance in the costume of a Highland chief, and had to repeat it, Miss Nye sang very pleasingly, and had to repeat her'song -, she was greetsq with a shower of bouquets on her re-appear-ance. Miss Colville recited that most difficult piece, “Mary, Queen of Scots,'’ yu'th great effect. It is seldom elocutionists supceed so well; pup in gpipe of pbe stirring passages, arid in" all’ the pathetic parts, she reached the hearts and feelings of her auditors. In lieu of Mr dykes’ fantnsja ? the Provincial Band played selections 5 Afr Levey and another gentleman sapg, and were' recalled. The w'holo entertainment went off most successfully, “The Merchant of Venice ” will be played to-night.

| MASONIC HALL. That some of the crowded audience that witnessed the opening performance of the Enderby Jackson troupe last evening were diiappointed, is a matter of fact, for we lie'ard th&t'feehng caressed in some quarters, but wc feel si|re that the verdict of tfte greap majority agrees with pur pwu opinion, that the entertainment was as (successful as it was pleasant. Ip Dunedin we have been treated to innumerable specimens of the coiul'jiit.— many original, by which we mean the efforts of those amateurs who have fancied they could sing the dags of songs which are characteristic of the Home music halls ; and many said to be in imitation of tho style pf the man who is the feature of last night's entertainment. Those who had accepted those imitations as tolerably accurate were agreeably disappointed last night, for it is impossible to conceive any wider difference than that which exists between the imitations and the original. Mr hickards is essentially an artist; he has a fine baritone voice of considerable strength, which he uses with discrimination ; he has a fine appearance on the stage, but bis greatest aid is his immense facial expression; while he is possessed of astonishing versatility. ‘ ‘ The Hpriuui fall, •’ and the imitations of concert hall singing were capital specimens of the latter, In the one we had a faithful representation of that outre style of carriage and dress of the London swell, with which the pages of Pyuoh havp made us familiar j on the other, the eccentricities

of amateur tenors were delightfully hit off. In these, as in the duetts with Miss Rickr

ards, lie displays a superabundance of condo humor, which is refreshing, because it is natural, in a word, he is as clever a come-

dian as ho is a singer. “ Captain Jinks,” “ On the Parade,” and “The Troubles of

Singers,” were, to our thinking, his best efforts; though “ I like to mind the baby”

created roars of laughter, The last men-

tioned song and “The Fisherman arc of a very different class to the bulk of Mr Bickard’s songs; but we failed to sec anything coarse in them. Miss Bickards has a good voice, but it lacks power ; and she is very pleasing in the duetts in wdiich flic takes part. Mr Hallam has a tenor voice of considerable sweetness, but his upper notes are not strong, 'lie sings correctly, and would be highly effective if he used his voice more sympathetically. His opening song, “The Death of Nelson,” and “I seek for thee in every dower ” were his beat efforts. We were glad to notice that encores are rigorously declined, and that no delays take place between the songs—an example that might be advantageously copied elsewhere. There is a strong orchestra, presided over by Mr Moss. The programme of last night is to be repeated this evening. SCHOOL CONCERT. The annual concert in aid of the prize fund of the North Dunedin bchool took place last evening, in the school-room, Great King street. Mr B. C. Ilaggitt presided. The programme consisted of aoogs, duets, and trios by some of our well known amateurs ; concerted music by the teachers aud some of the pupils of the school; a short debate by a number of the boys ; readings, recitations, &c. Some of the pieces by the teachers and pupils were very well sung, and seemed to please the numerous friends assembled as well as any other part of the entertainment. The whole programme tvas well got through, and the proceedings terminated with the usual votes of thanks to the chairman and friends who had given their services during the evening.