BENEFIT TO MR SCHULTZE.

Kumara Times, Issue 887, 4 August 1879, Page 2

BENEFIT TO MR SCHULTZE.

Tho committee who organised and tendered the benefit to Mr feehultze, which took place at the Theatre Royal on Fad ay evening last, must have felt highly gratified with the success that crowned their efforts on his behalfi Long before the curtain rose, the house was crowded in every part, the only draw!lack to the comfort of the audience throughout the evening being the admission of a gang of larrikins, who, taking possession of the stairs at the end of the Theatre, caused considerable annoyance to those present by their bo:strous behaviour, more especially • when some of the choicest items of the programme were being given. After a “ March,” composed by Mr Schnltze and played bv the Dillman’s Town Band very effectively, the entertainment opened with the overture of e ' Norma,” by the Knraara String Band, and in this and the subsequent pieces they played during the evening (the selections from “ Lucrezia Borgia ” especially) their brilliant execution, splendid time, and harmonious accord were the theme of general admiration, receiving, most deservedly, prolonged and enthusiastic applause on each occasion. The glee of “ The Chough and Crow, which followed, would have been far mure effective with an additional tenor voice. The next item, “ Nancy Lee,” by Mr S. S. Pollock, was hardly as well given by that gentleman as on a former occasion, although sufficiently well to receive a hearty encore, to which he responded by again singing the last verse. Miss SPDavitt then favoured the audience with “Sweet Home.” her rendering- of which was received with well-merited and unanimous approbation, necessitating her reappearance. The trio of “ Dame iLirdaiv’ by Messrs Williams, Richards, and Weir, caused considerable amusement, by the energetic manner in winch one of those engaged therein assimilated his actions to the words of* the song. A “guitar O oio,” sweetly played by Mrs Barker, followed, but. the more delicate notes of the iustru.

ment were lost in a building 90 sjKuiona as the Theatre. Royal. .“Local Hits,’* by Mr Hope- caused many a laugh, as the characters depicted in his song were well-known persons in the district, and their little pecul.iariiies received full justice at the hands of the singer. The recitation of “ Hubert and Arthur,” from Shakespearels. “ King John,” given by Mr M;Cavthy, was not only a grand piece of. elocution, but the reciter felt his subject, as shown by the exquisite pathos exhibited in its delivery. The appreciation of this piece by the audience was manifest by the silence that reigned, throughout its delivery, and the marked applause which greeted Mr M'Oarthy when he finished. A glee, “ Foresters, sound the cheerful horn,’’ by v the full capitally given, was followed, by Miss Lennon playing a pianoforte solo, “ Wearing o’ green,” in a manner .that, justified the idteijj,. she was an accomplished pianist, possessing delicacy of touch with perfect the variations introduced into the piece having; a most pleasing effect., ffhe next item was.one productly.e of t]ie-greatest merriment, as Mr t). Willmips, in his “Chinese and Japanese delitiOations,” kept the house in pne continual toar o£ laughter, tps. feats . being witnessed with an i n tgreat worthy of the tricks of an Anderson or a ■ Jacobs:* A by-Mr Muifheiid (who was in excellent voice), Mr Coates artistic-* ally; stepping; ;the “American Sand Jig,” terminated' the first pari of the programme. Although we shall not refer to the second part in detail there are one or two items required special Attention. The clarionet solo selections from the “ Bohemian GirJ,” by Mr Mills, was one of the finest-, instrumental solo's-ever played on a Kumara stage, and fairly gained, for the performer the genuine ovation be received from the audience. “ Killarney,” by Miss M . Power, and “ The Sexton” by Mr Taylor were both capitally rendered and appreciated. A scientific lecture by the irrestible Mr Williams, the delivery of which caused more amusement than the language, and an inconprehensible ..nigger walk round or’ break-down concluded the Second part of the entertainment. We cannot in justice closejthis notice without mentioning the ladies who so ably presided alternately at the piano during the wholeevening, Mrs Williams and Miss Lenpop, ■ and who by their efficient accompaniment undoubtedly made, the entertainment the unqualified success.it was ..th rough out. Mr Dungan, as ;Sec,reta,i7;Of : .%ej Committee, oh behalf of thanked the audience apd ..|he * ladies and gentlemen., who had so kindly given, their services on the occasion, and the singing of the National Anthem very appropriately brought to a close one of the choicest instrumental concerts ever held in this town, . ; ... ■