THE AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENT.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 181, 26 June 1869, Page 4

THE AMATEUR ENTERTAINMENT.

The entertainment for the joint benefit of the Blenheim Brass Band and of B-en-IncEfoinircame’ olTbiTTuesday evening. The weather was propitious, though cold, and wc arc happy to say the house was a good one, and, if we may judge of the merits of the undertaking by the applause elicited, it must be pronounced as a decided success. The selections by the Band were very efficiently rendered, and proved the S eady perseverance of that body, and the skill aul taste of the leader. They consisted of Massaniollo, Welsh Melodies, Warrior’s Joy, and Galibaldi the True. The revival of the Canadian Boat Song, which was pleasantly sung, brought back to memory many pleasant occasions in the days of old. The Maii-of-War, which followed, was, however, the gem of the vocal pieces, and gave more satisfaction in its performance than anything we have heard from an amateur for many years, and upon being encored, the singer gave Her bright smile haunts me still. Asolo, Evangeline, was sang with great taste and feeling, and seemed generally liked, but a comic song, Woman, L harming Woman, brought the house down completely, and was vehemently encored. A very cleverly-executed instrumental trio succeeded with the violin, piano, and piccolo, in which the latter overcame the sound of the others, seeming to require a greater body of music to support it, although very well played. After this came the customary local song, the subject of which was a recent event; this exponent oi public feeling convulsed everyone with laughter. The Christy’s Minstrels, introduced by the Band with appropriate music, were as effective and amusing as ever, although wc missed one old face from the number. These scattered abroad their local jokes, conundrums, and puns on all sorts of people with good humor and impudence as usual. The introduction of the dramatic element was a pleasant relief to the usual monotony of amateur entertainments. More Free than Welcome was the farce selected for this occasion, and was performed by members of the dormant Dramatic Society, with very good effect; and considering how few of the appliances of the stage they could command, it was creditably executed. The following was recited as a prologue to the piece : “ Oh Blenheim dear, my lovely dwelling place, Before whom Venice pales and hides her face ; Her mansions rest upon some paltry isles, While ours all stand secure on good birch piles. Our waters !—who, in all their fairy dreams, Imagined ever such pellucid streams ? While commerce on them proudly rides secure, Behold our steamer and our Amateur. Strange freaks men take, and strange things hap, A girl not freakish is not worth a rap ; Who’s without sin ? let him or she not share

The ball and banquet of our worthy Mayor, True, dull trade presses hard upon a few, But hold ! here must I stop and mind my cue. I think that we will merely state what’s best, This concert’s object and so pass the rest. Music hath charms, who owns not that at once Is stupid, owlish, and a perfect dunce, To aid this intellectual treat, no less With one who’s long been partner with distress, And hope our poor attempts will prove A power the charity of those to move Who have the worldly means to give, and can Bestow no gifts upon a worthier man. And now for fear I’ll tire and lose ye, I’ll introduce you—‘Mr. Snoozy.’ ” We were glad to notice that the occasion brought forward to assist, those who have not hitherto taken part in these amateur performances, and whose aid was valuable. May the same good fellowship always obtain, where the only reward is that of doing a charitable action. The gross Proceeds were £2l 11s. Gd.