The Bazaar

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 147, 22 May 1886, Page 3

The Bazaar

. The b>ad weather having somewha interfered with the attendance at th Bazaar it has been determined to con tiuue it until the evening ef Monda; the 24th inst. We are glad to lean that notwithstanding the heavy wine and rain which, prevailed on the after noon and evening, the sum of £30 5i 2d was taken in cash. Last night th< amount collected was £45 2s. The Bazaar last night (Friday "was very numerously attended, con •equently business was brisk. Th( lady attendants looked charming Many of them were dressed in character. The Duchess of Devonshire, Greek, and Albanian maidens, 8 •hepherdess, sultana, a flower girl, &c, «md many others whose costumes were unknown to our reporter, made pleasing pictures from the variety of colors shifting and bleudiug as the crowd moved abont, like the views in a kaleidoscope. But for fun commend us to the Side shows. The Tableaux vivants of the seasons — spring, summer, autumn, winter— the first on the list of aide shows, were represented by children in appropriate costumes aud floral decorations. These were shown separately in their proper order of precedence, and afterwards together, when the scene being lighted up with red and blue fire was very beautiful. The moveable waxworks must be seen to be appreciated. Imprimis Mr ■Gurney acts as showman, as if "ho were to the manner born," and Mr iCrossman officiates at the piano where lie plays appropriate music in brilliant form. The wax figures are, it is needless to say, life size, and show much animation when oiled, and wound up. The Highlander (Mr Sherwill) danced a Highland fling, after which our old friend Sairey Gamp (Mrs Macarthur) admonished the showman for levity with her umbrella. A gay troubadour (Mr Gilmer) sang a ditty, and the Spanish beauty (Miss Bellairs) walked the stage with all that grace which is characteristic of Spanish maidens. The heathen Chinee (Mr F. Roe) with his " smile which was child like and bland," and the inevitable euere pack was ready to "play any geatleuian in the crowd." A flower girl (Miss Ada Bray) scattered lovely little bouquets from her basket among the audience. Galatea (Miss Beattie) was as lovely as her prototype, and sang a sweet song with taste and feeling. Last, but not least, the wooden German (Mr Bray) was very funny and kept the audience in roars of laughter. The whole of the figures joined in the mazy waltz as a JinaJe and the curtain fell to loud applause. After a reasonable interval, to allow of business to be done in the main bi#dy of the hall, the showman again rang in tbo people f«*r "The Happy Couple," as represented ,by Mrs Houeyton (Miss Ellen Atkins) and Mr * Hovey ton ( Mr Crossinau), This piece was acted with spirit throughout,, ami «vory point was made in the witty ami 21 in using dialogue. In the various • changes — "from grave to gay, from lively to severe "—Miss Atkins showed her great powers as an actress. Mr Orossmau was excellent, and represented the " love-sated husband " "as if he had been there," but with perfect -good taste. At the conclusion the .actors wero loudly applauded. ■ Where there wore so many clever <as well as handsome pieces of workjnauship exhibited, the task of selecting for special notice any of them is •difficult, but there were two items — a screen with hand-painted panels in vplush-eovered woodwork, made by lira Owen, and a bracket fringe (we .have some doubts about this being the term) by Mrs Clere, which are really works of art, and deserving of "the high encomi urns passed upon them. We Jiope to see crowded houses tonight and Monday.