ST. PATRICK’S SCHOOL CONCERT

Kumara Times, Issue 1392, 18 March 1881, Page 2

ST. PATRICK’S SCHOOL CONCERT

There was a very large atitftidance at the Adelplii Theatre last ou the occasion of an entertainment in aid. of j the funds of St. Patrick’s School, the dress circle and front seats especi- - ally being well patronised. The sparkling comedy of “ Doing for the Best,” with which the entertainment opened, was capitally put on the stage, the scenery reflecting the greatest credit on Mr J. King, and, in fact, we never remember to have seen a piece in Kumara better mounted. As Betsy Stubbs, Mrs G. B. Way was the beau ideal of the honest, plain-speaking wife of a country tradesman, and her pourtrayal of the character, as also when circumstances elevated her to a position above her former sphere in life, being marked by careful and legitimate acting, which was thoroughly appreciated, as evinced by the repeated plaudits of the audience. The cast of Dick Stubbs, in the person of Mr J Jolly, was all that could be desired, his make-up as the country squire, with a heavy rent-roll, being admirable, although to many he appeared to have taken Sir George Grey as his model, so far as the “ getup ” was concerned. We have repeatedly had the pleasure of witnessing Mr J. Jolly in various characters as an amateur actor, but last evening he fairly eclipsed all his previous efforts in this direction. As Emily, Miss M. Power assumed the character to the life, her acting being tural and in no way overstrained,- Hie intended parting with her guardian being most pathetically and admirably rendered. Miss M. Jolly may be’also congratulated on the careful Way-in which she played the part of Jane Stubbs, her text being nearly letterperfect and her bye-play effectively introduced. Mr J. Shrives was^evidently at home as Bill Hawkins, and played the character capitally while the Parchment of Mr G. B. M'lntyre lent a zest to the piece without which it would have been materially shorn of interest. The part of, Harry Stubbs, which fell to Mr W. Raleigh, although not heavy in the way/’ of dialogue, received full justice at- his hands. The minor character of Thomas, byMr Maloney, was all .there as far as the dressing and business. , Taking the piece throughout, although,the plot was far from an exciting description,-it was so well presented as to keep the interest of the audience unflagging from the opening sentence to the fall of. the curtain. In the musical intetlnde. that followed, Mrs M'Glorn rendered “ The Green Shores of Erin” most, effectively, eliciting a hearty encore. Miss Steuhouse also received a similar compliment at the hands of the audience for a well-rendered song. Mr Taylor was, as usual, in good voice, and gave his item of the programme capitally. Mr J. H. King rendered an Irish comic song with good expression and effect. All the vocalists received an encore. The entertainment terminated with the highly amusing farce of “ The Artful Dodge,” which provoked the most hearty laughter and concluded one of the best amateur performances (not but when there is room always for improvement, even in the most perfect) we have seen so far in the town. We must not omit to mention Mrs Williams, who, as pianist, helped to fill the one blank point in the whole enteitainmeut—the orchestra.