AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENT.

Lyell Times and Central Buller Gazette, Volume VI, Issue 295, 16 October 1886, Page 2

AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENT.

The entertainment hell iu Fennell's Hull last Saturday night in aid of the Building Fund ofJSt. Matthew's Church, Lyell, was in every respect one of the most successful j'et held in the district. From the crowded state of the hall shortly after the doors were opened it appeared that the accommodation ot the room would be taxed to its utmost, and indeed such proved te be the case, as later on numbers were unable to gain admission, and were compelled to be content with occupying positions in the passages and even outside the windows. Since the last entertainment was held here considerable improvements have been made in the stage accommodation and scenery, having been entirely refitted and painted, and now affords facilities, such as side wings, curtain, &c, for placing smalt pieces on the stage. At eight o'clotk the performance commenced with a well-executed overture (piano) by Mrs Waters, followed by a very creditably rendered buffo song by Mr C. Bowden, entitled " I'm a Nobleman,s Son." Miss A. Dollimore was not as successful in her song " Won't you buy my pretty flowers" as on former occasions, owing to a slight nervousness. " Put it down to me," a comic song by Mr Youngman, was elaborately dressed, and took the fancy of the audience to the extent of being redemanded. Mrs Bowden fairly rendered the song "Constance," although in previons concerts we have heard her voice to much greater advantage. The Rev. Innes-Jones sang "Jack's Yarn" in a finished manner, and was enthusiastically encored. The gem of the evening was decidedly the duett " As one by one our friends depart," given by Mrs Watera and Mr Corfield, and evoked a well-merited encore. Mr F. Harrison was not in his usual form, although fairly successful in his song. Mrs R. Carroll followed with '• Erin, my Country " and although singing'.without an accompaniment, succeeded in pleasing the audience, and was compelled to reappear. Mr Corfield was not as successful as usual in'-the next song " We've all joined the Blue Ribbon Army," probably owing to the fact that the views enunciated did net fit in with the popular taste. "Jessie's Dream" by Mrs Waters, playing her own accompaniment, was, as is usual with this lady, tastefully and correctly rendered. . Mr John O'Dea fairly electrified the audience in the song "The Bridge," and was vociferously encored; some of his friends say little credit to him as he knows something about bridges, however, that's mere envy. Oue of the surprises of the evening was supplemented by Mrs Best, who sung " I'm Waiting My Darling for thee " in a manner which at once stamped her as a useful addition to the amateur talent of the district, and on being encored was even more successful on her sec and appearance in a comic song " Jenny Jink 3." This item concluded the first part of the programme.

The Rev. Innes-Jones came forward and in a few well chosen remarks, thanked the audience for their liberal attendance, and the amateurs, together with others, who had assisted so materially in bringing the arrangements for the entertainment to so successful an issue.

Next on the programme was portions of two scenes from Bulwer Lytton's play, '• The Lady of Lyons," the parts of Pauline and Claude Melnotte being sustained by Mrs E. Bowden and Mr W. Atkin respectively. The characters were correctly dressed according to the requirements of the play and proved a surprise to many of the younger portion of the audience who probably had never before had the opportunity of witnessing the spectacle of stage dresses.. The acting throughout the two scenes showed a careful and close study of the characters pourtrayed, especially so in that of Pauline, the lady undertaking the role having for the first time essayed a part of this descriprion, and agreeably surprised her most intimate friends by the manner in which she sustained the character. The evening's amusement concluded with a Christy entertainment, the songs and choruses in which were fairly rendered. The jokes and conundrums given by the two corner men kept the audience thoroughly amused throughout, while some of the local hits from Mr Bowden's end were greatly applauded. The accompaniment to the singing was provided by Mrs Waters on the piano, and was everything that could be desired. We cannot conclude this notice without mentioning the attention and kindness extended by Mrs Waters in tha matter of attending rehearsals, coming a distance of three miles to and from Lyell once a week for that purpose, and to Mr Youngman for the use of his piano and residence for rehearsals ; and last, but not least, Mr John Fennell, who underwent considerable expense in refitting his stage and providing scenery, and was at all times courteous and obliging when appealed to for the many things amateurs imagine they require on these occasions, and gave the use of his hall and piano without charge. The entire proceeds of the concert was £24 18/ and the expenses amounted to £3 6/,* leavingjthe sum of £2l 12/ to be handed over to the fund for which the concert was inaugurated.