HOSPITAL CONCERT.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 259, 6 February 1886, Page 2

HOSPITAL CONCERT.

One of the most successful performances ever held in Lyell took place on Thursday evening, 28th ultimo, at the schoolroom. The ladies and gentlemen taking part in the entertainment deserve great credit for the manner in which they acquitted themselves, considering the short notice they received (about eight days) that their services would be required. Another disadvantage was the absence of a pianoforte, which in an entertainment of this class is almost indispensable; the risk attending the transport of a valuable instrument down a rather rough track to the schoolroom, proved too great to admit of its presence on the occasion; however, an excelleut substitute was provided in Mr James Inglis with h:s violin, an instru-

merit of which he is a perfect master. The assistance rendered by this gentleman, both at rehearsals and on the night of the entertainment, cannot be too highly spoken of. During the afternoon prior to the entertainment the ladies and gentlemen taking part attended at the schoolroom and succeeded in very tastefully decorating the building with evergreens, and erecting stage, scenery, and other accessories. At eight o'clock, when the curtain was drawn, the stage presented a very pleasing appearance, when Mr John Fennell, who ably acted throughout the evening a> Chairman, came forward and said that the necessity for an Hospital in Lyell having become manifest, it was very satisfactory to the promoters to find that the public had so promptly responded to the call made upon them by their attendance that evening, outside of their liberal donations to the lists circulated, lie felt assured that the programme which they had assembled to witness would prove highly attractive, and he could not overlook the fact that in addition to the merits of the entertainment, the cause which they had met to assist must bave also had a very powerful effect in bnuging together so many from all portions of the district, and would conclude by requesting the audience, owing ■ o the length of the programme, to refrain from demanding encores. The programme opened with an hospital enteriaiumeut prologue, written by the late H. M. Moore, Esq,, during 187J, for a similar occasion at Ahaura, and was spoken by Mr Walter Atkin, who delivered it on that occasion. The sentituents contained were well received by the audience. Mr E. Butler followed with " Lone Starry Hours," accompanying himself on the banjo, and in both voice and accompanimeut acquitted himself well. " Still I Love Thee," a duett by Mrs Bowden and Miss A. Patterson, although not sung in purls, was well rendered. " True as the Stars that are Shining," brought out a surprise for the audience in the person of Mr A. Coriield, who possesses one of those rare voices, the owner of which can give full volume to the low baritone notes and then touch the clear high tenor; the song narrowly escaped an encore. Miss A. Dollimo'-e followed with a beauti ui ballad entitled 4 She Never Blamed Him, Never," and also surprised the audience by the taste, power, aud well modulated pathos exercised ; this 3 7 oung lady's voice, under tuition, would still further surprise any audience. Mr J. Brown, who, although aervous in the first verse, succeeded in giving every satisfaction in that good old song " Who will care for Mother uow." " Belle Mahoue," by Mrs Campbell, wa? tasteiully and well rendered. Dr. G. E. Levien followed with that beautiful ballad " The Bonnie Hills of Scotland," in a finished manner. "The Old Musketeer" found an able exponent in the voice and acting of Mr E. Carroll, who, we may say kindly took the place of an absentee on the programme. The firsl part conclud d with a well got up ami altogether meritorious piece of charactei dancing entitled " Army and Navy," by Mr H. W. Mason ; this item, notwithstanding the request from the Chairman was vociferously encored. This con eluded the first part of the programme and after an interval of five minutes Mi E. Butler again wou applause for fail rendition of that beautiful song, " Ser enade." " Over the Garden Wall" coulc not have been entrusted to a better singei than Mr Martinson, who succeeded ii thoroughly couvulsing the audience witl laughter. Mr Walter Atkin then recitee " The Death of the Collier's Child." "Ur in a Balloon " by Mr E. Carroll, whe again appeared as a substitute, was done ample justice to. A local comic song bj Mr J. Peck caused considerable amuse ment, and would have proved even more successful had the gentleman giver longer study to the lines, in order to avoii retiring up the stage to consult hi; manuscript; however, the loc d allusion* were pungent and to the point, and wen thoroughly enjoyed. " I Cannot Mind My Wheel, Mother," by Miss A. Dolhmore, again completely delighted the audience. Mr A. Coriield was even mort successful in his second song, " True til Death," the high notes of which Ik touched with great clearness. " The Youug Man of the Day," a buffo-comic song, was done ample justice to by Mi C. Bowden. Miss Alice Patterson followed with " Silver Threads Among the Gold," and in a very clear and wel pitched voice was thoroughly successful in giving every justice to a somewhat old though difficult song. We hope to agair have the pleasure of hearing this younc lady's voice in future concerts. Mi H. Martinson again proved himself f valuable acquisition to the programme by his excellent rendition of the comi( song, 4i The Badger and the Hare.' This part of the programme was con eluded with a grotesque dance by Mi H. W. Mason, which was complete!} successful and was again encoied. Before the curtain was drawn the Chairmac came forward, and in a few well-ehoser words thanked the audience for then attendance, and the amateurs for theii assistance in the evening's entertainment. The performance concluded with that old aud well-known Ethopian extravaganza " The Carnival Ball." The various characters were well got up and ably sustained throughout. The audience were kept thoroughly annised from beginning t<f end, and the only regret was that it was not prolonged, but owing to a iesire on the part of the management tc jet the room cleared for dancing at 11 >'clock, a certain amount of curtailment

becauie necessary. The whole concluded l>v the (Ampany singing the National Anthem, when the room was cleared !>v

willing hauls, and equally willing feet commenced the worship of Terspichore, to which justice was done until the " snaa' We hours." It is as well before closing this report to mention that fo.- any future entertainment, a notification will appear in the Lyell Times to the effect that those desirous of assisting will be required to leave their names at a stated place and time, as it has been found inconvenient in this instance to adopt the course of sending correspondence, to which very few replies were sent in. Double the number of performers could have b en used by restricting a single appearance to each, but the number of replies received up to the time of publishing the programme was not sufficient, so, consequently, it left the work rather heavy on those who were on the programme ; however, the universal opinion was that a good evening's amusement was provided, and everyone was very well .satisfied.