ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL CONCERT.

Kumara Times, Issue 970, 8 November 1879, Page 3

ST. PATRICK'S SCHOOL CONCERT.

o At the Theatre Royal last eveoing a large audience assembled on the occasion of the entertainment in aid of St. Patrick's School. After the Overture by the Kumara String Band, which was played in a most effective and brilliant manner, well meriting the applause that greeted its termination, the concert opened with, a song by Signer Carmine. This gentleman, however, unfortunately did not " take the stage," and his voice was consequently inaudible to a majority of those present. In a second attempt this defect was remedied, but the singer and accompaniment being ill different keys, the harmony could scarcely be said to be of the most pleasing description. A local j-ong on the late elections, by Mr Hope, the words of which created some amusement, was followed by Mr Muirhead rendering, in splendid voice and time, "The Old Musketeers," and who, in response to the deserved call he received, gave a highly humorous parody on the " Fine Old English Gentleman." The " Marsaillaise," sung by Signor Fenaci, in the language of the land in which it emanated, was well rendered, but the effect in this grand piece of music would have been greatly enhanced by the addition of a chorus. The next item on the programme was a recitation by Mr J. Pearson; but as that gentleman did not put in an appearance, Mr Jackson followed with "The death of Nelson." Although the renderer of this song gave it with great taste, at the same time it is one not suited to the compass of his voice, this being especially noticeable in the introductory recitative. " Home again," by Mr R. Taylor, sung in a most careful manner and with beautiful effect, elicited marked approbation, necessitating that gentleman repeating the last verse. A comic duet, by Miss Power and Mr Jolly, entitled " Very Suspicious," capitally given (the bye-play of Miss Power especially being a leading feature), concluded the first part of the ] rogramme. The second part of the entertainment then opened with the Kumara Minstrels, and, in justice to these " burnt cork" melodists, we must say that they never appeared to better advantage. The songs selected were well rendered, both in the solos and choruses. The dialogue introducing the gags was short and to the point, and the business both of " Bones" and " Tambourine" whs carried out in a manner to afford great amusement, without being overdone. The finale, designated the " Railway Galop," was a novel idea, the collisiou, or explosion, being a most appiopriate moment for the fall of the curtain. After a brief interval, in which the Kumara String Band delighted the

audience by their splendid rendering of a waltz, the curtain rose to the one act comic drama of " The Lottery Ticket," The characters of Mrs Corset and Susan, by the Misses Jolly and Power, all that could be desired, both these young lady amateurs acting as though " oft before the stage they trod." The part of Capias was played, or more correctly speaking murdered, by Mr Thompson, who evidently is not at home as a lawyer, and whose text when he did remember a small portion of it, Was delivered quietly to himself only. Mr Jolly as Wormwood was simply great, looking and acting the character to the life. Cluules, as played by Mr T. Coghlan, was not only letter text perfect, but the character was sustained with the intended effect throughout. Taking the whole entertainment it was one well worthy of public patronage, and although several items on the programme were " old stagers," they were given with better effect last evening than we have seen heretofore.