MANaWATU ROWING CLUB ENTERTAINMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue II, 4 June 1880, Page 2

MANaWATU ROWING CLUB ENTERTAINMENT.

The entertainment given by the Manawatu Bowing Club on Wednesday evening must be pronounced in every way an unqualified success.' Some time before eight o'clock, the capacious Public Hall began filling up, and when the curtain rose at 5 minutes past eight, the building was crowded The bumper house .which was assembled appeared to have a most inspiriting effect on the performers, who threw themselves into their respective parts with a zeal and enthusiasm that elicited in many cases rapturous applause. The programme was well divertsified,although the comic element rather unduly preponderated in the second part. Still, as the audience appeared to be thoroughly pleased, we presume the performance as a whole nit the popular taste. The stage and accessories had been gaily decorated with bunting, a pair of crossed oars being placed at the head of the stage, with the New Zealand ensign as a background. A few jiinutes after eight o'clock the ring of the bell called upon the stage hands to raise the curtain, and as it reached its place,tlie opening notes of the " Maypole dance," played as a duet overture by Misses E. Bobinson and Evans, were struck, and at once attracted the attention and iuterest of the audience, hearty applause at the close rewarding the performers. The curtain was then lowered, and in a couple of minutes was raised, showiug the members of the Club dressed in rowing costume, prepared to sing, " The Bed, White, and Blue," the first verse being sung by Mr J. Bussell, and the second by Mr Howe, the whole company joining in the chorus, and also in the added chorus, " Bule, Britannia," all going very smoothly and well. The song, " I wish Mamma was here," with echo chorus, was then given by Mi*

Howe, and was followed by "The Last Eose of Summer," which was > given with expression by Mrs Dunn, • though sung rather too slowly. The next item was the duet "Money Matters," by Mrs Tansley and Mr J. Eussell, and although this piece was sung only a few weeks ago at a Choral Society concert, it thoroughly pleased the audience on Wednesday night, being vociferously encored. More of the dramatic element was introduced into the piece by the r . performers, and frequently the ['. " hits " of the duet were loudly applauded by the audience. The curtain dropped amidst tumultuous applause, and on rising in response to the encore showed the singers dressed in character as a waiter and housemaid, the duet " Love and Pride " being acted and sung in capital style, and eliciting hearty applause. Mr Cobb followed with " The Village Blacksmith," which well deserved the encore bestowed upon it, " True to the Last," which we liked even better than its predecessor, being given in response. "The Flight of the Swallow," a duet, was then sung by Mr and Mrs G. Russell, the last verse being repeated for an enoore. Mrs Davies then gave in good style " Too Late," though we liked her better later in the programme in her other song, " The light of home at evening," which was sung with great taste. "Not before pa," which followed Mrs Davies' song, was given by Mr J. Eussell, and well received. After this piece, the curtain was lowered, and a rather long delay occurred, which sadly tried the patience of the audience. However, upon the curtain being raised the audience enjoyed one of the best pieces of fun the entertainment afforded, for there marched in ** The German Band," in Christy Minstrel " rig out," and with blackened faces. The effect was " immense," and as the band sent out its discordant blasts and the Jbandsmen marched round, the audience gave itself up to oatbursts of laughter. The song, " Dot Leetle German Pand," was sung by the big drummer,the " band" marching round between each verse, and it is hardly necessary to say the performance was vociferously encored. After the interval, Miss Eobinson led off with " Chilperic " as the overture, which was given with great precision, "Will-o'-the-wisp." by Mr ■ Palmer, following. The last verse was repeated in response to an encore. Mrs Eussell then sang, " The Angel at the window," which was sung with expression, and well received. Then came " The Bold Gendarmes " duet, sung by Messrs Howe and J. Eussell. The costume of the performers was military of the most pronounced type, with swords, rifles, &c, and black faces. The prodigious cocked hats which surmounted their heads lent an additional feature. The singing was good, and so was the acting, but the local " hits," which "touched off" the Local Board, the larrikins, the butchers, and the bakers, — lost their point through not being distinctly sung. Nevertheless, the audience heard enough to cause hearty laugater, and in response to a determined •■• encore an additional verse was given. Mi' Cox followed with " The White Squall," the rendition of which proved him the possessor of a very sweet tenor voice, but rather too light in timbre for the song selected. The piece, however, was sung with great taste, and we certainly regard Mr Cox as a valuable acquisition to our local musical talent. Mr Cobb followed with an extremely comic song, " The nervous man," which fully sustained his reputation as a " comic " j of the first water, a humorous piece called " The girl with ginger hair," being given in response. 'Later on the same gentleman gave in character, " Weights and Measures," the wit in which fairly convulsed the audience, " The Two Obadiahs " been given for the encore. Mrs Tansley, whose costume for the song waß capitally got up, gave "Oaller Herrin'," as sung by a bonnie fishwife, and gained hearty applause. s Mr Carter, who makes up as a first \ class nigger, gave in fine style, " The Big Sunflower," with accompanying dance, and achieved a complete success, " Bold Irishmen are we " being given as the encore song, A tribute of praise is justly due to Mrs Symons, Sirs Gannaway, Mrs Davies, and Miss Robinson, who played the accompaniments most correctly throughout. Upon the whole, the entertainment was a complete success in every way, and we are glad to learn the Rowing Club's funds will receive a substantial addition as the result.