The Payne Family

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 119, 17 November 1893, Page 2

The Payne Family

. «. The . popular and charming draw-ing-room entertainments which this clever family produce are now well known throughout the colodj, and they never fail to attract large and appreciative audiences. Last night the Assembly Rooms were well filled, although the weather was decidedly unfavorable, and every item on the programme was appreciated, so much so that encores were demanded in almost every instance, although not always responded to. Two new faces appear in' the company since their last visit here, those of Miss Bella Handrick and Miss Effie Morella, who are, like the other members of the family, both full of talent, especially the former. The chief feature of the evening's entertainment was the handbell ringing, four selections being given viz : "Convent Bells," " Schottische," and two bracketed numbers (a) "Adelina Schottische," and (b) " Barn Dance," and (a) "Just before the Battle Mother," and (b) " Emir the Bell, Watchman." The bells were handled in such a skilful manner that really beautiful music was produced, and the various pieces were listened to with rapt attention. The part song, " Funicuh Funicula," went very merrily as likewise did the humorous part songs " Merry Little Pat Grey Man," and the concluding item « Old King Cole." A violin solo, played by Miss Maude, " Life Let us Cherish," showed that young lady's abilities off to perfection; and Miss Bella's playing on the voilin of selec tions from "II Trovatore " at once proved that she was an accomplished artiste, and she was soon an estab. lished favorite with the audience. A solo, "The Land of Dreams," was nicely sung by Miss Morella, but as this lady was suffering from a Blight cold she was not heard to advantage. Mr Steel's manipulation of the musical glasses was very clever, and the music which was drawn from them was really sweet. As a humorous singer Mr Steel could hardly be surpassed, and he has the knack of moving his audience from silence to roars of laughter, and vice versa. His char* acter sketch of " The Shop walker," simply brought down the house, and the antics which this individual performs while beguiling his customers were vividly displayed. The humorous trio "I'm not the Queen" produced much merriment, but when this was followed by an encore, "Sneezing," the rafters were made to riog. A violin duet (bracketed) (a) " Auld Robin Gray" and (b) "The Keel Row" was exquisitely rendered by the M IBB6B Lizzie and Maud, in fact this was one of the best musical pieces of the evening; and a quartette (vocal and instrumental) " The Little Huntsman," was received with loud applause. A feature in the performances of this talented company is the brightness with which everything is rendered, and the pleasing and happy manner which they have while on the stage. Those who have not yet had the pleasure of hearing the Payne Family will have an opportune ity of doing so, as it was announced last night that they will appear here again before leaving New Zealaud.