CRICKET CLUB ENTERTAINMENT

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 13, 15 October 1880, Page 2

CRICKET CLUB ENTERTAINMENT

An entertainment was given at the Foxton Public Hall *on Wednesday evening last, under the auspices of the local Cricket Club. The attendance was very satisfactory, though not equal to that at some of the recent concerts. The front seats, however, were crowded, and the back seats fairly patronised, so that it is hoped when the sheet is balanced a very fair Jmargin will remain to the object of the entertainment. Considering the number of entertainments given lately, and the fact that the same performers are almost invariably called upon to contribute, it is matter of surprise that the entertainments receive such good support. The first part consisted of miscellaneous musical selections, the overture, " Fairy Realm," being played by Misses E. Eobinson and Evans in a spirited manner, though the effect was somewhat marred by the tramping in of persons who came late. It would be a great improvement if a roll of matting were laid down between the two rows of seats, to deaden the sound. The absence of this on Wednesday night detracted very greatly from the success of several items, as some of the singers were evidently bothered by the noise, while the audience were also prevented from enjoying the songs as they would have done had not the clatter of feet distracted them. Doubtless Mr Whyte will read, mark, learn, and invariably digest the hint thus promiscuously thrown out. But to return. The overture was followed by Mr Quinn, who gave " True Blue." The sing«r was palpably nervous, and consequently did not appear to advantage, besides which, the low passages of the song were evidently beneath the compass of his voice. Some of the notes on the medium register were very full and clear, and it is certain that with careful practice Mr Quinn wou d soon take a high position as a baritone singer. Mrs Russell followed with a new song by Barnby, " When the tide comes in," and received hearty applause at the close. The next item was " Put it down to me," a comic song in character by Mr Jas. Oliver, but though it was encored we did not care for it so well as a song Mr Oliver gave on a previous occasion. He sang " Sinbad the Sailor" for the encore. " Thy voice is near " brought Mrs Shore to the footlights, and her rendering of that pretty ballad fully sustained the reputation she had gained for singing correctly, and with expression. Balfe's wellknown duet, "The Sailor Sighs," was then sung by Mr and Mrs Russell, after which Mrs Tansley gave " The Slave Girl's Dream " in her usual " taking" style, the various " runs " being effectively sung. Mr Cobb followed with " The Slave Ship," which he gave in capital style, introducing the dramatic element in several places with effect. The audience showed their appreciation by a pronounced encore, in response to which Mr Cobb gave " The Vagabond," though in this he was scarcely so successful. The pretty song, "To the woods," brought out a young lady who made her dehut as a soloist on Wednesday — Miss Cook. On a previous occasion she sang in a duet with Mrs Davies, and it was then noticed she had a rich voice, which would rapidly improve. Her song of Wednesday proved this to be true. It is by no means an easy one, the changes of key making it rather trying to a young singer. Nevertheless, ! Miss Cook acquitted herself excellently, and her rich mezzo-soprano voice rang through the hall, while the absence of nervousness put her at once on the best of terms with the auditnce. With assiduous practice we expect Miss Cook to take a high place amongst the amateurs of the district lift the course of another twelvemonths. In response to a determined encore, Miss Cook repeated the last verse. Mr Palmer followed in " Hear me, gentle Maritaua," but was evidently out of his depth, and the consequence was the piece was not a sucoess. If in future Mr Palmer confines himself to the class of music he has sung at recent concerts, ho will continue to rise in | public estimation as an nmnteur, but suoh attempts as that of Wednesday ! are not fair exhibitions of his undoubtod talents ns a singer. Mrs Davios then gave the familiar old ballad, " Many happy returns of the day," and, as usual, acquitted herself excellently. The first part eoneluded with the comic song, " Comi plaints," given by Mr Cobb in character, and for the encore " The Yankee Showman," both of which pieces were giveu in the humorous style Mr Cobb has thrown into them wken sung on previous occasions. At the close of Mr Cobb's comic song,

which was vociferously applauded, Mr Cox, hon. secretary of th 6 Cricket Club, walked to the front, and briefly thanked the audience for their patronage, the performers for their assistance, and the Christy Minstrels, who were to previde the second part, for their promptitude in helping the 1 Club. After an interval of ten minutes, the curtain was raised, and shopped the Christy Minstrel orchestra, consisting of' five instrumentalists, in position ready for the overture. The piece selected was " The War Galop," which was played with great precision, and with excellent effect. This was followed by the " Bain, rain chorus " by the company. and the " Dan Tucker " song and dance by Mr Wilson, both of which were repetitions from the last concert. They lost nothing by this, however, Mr Wilson's dancing being if anything an improvement upon the previous occasion. He was" vociferously encored, and in response gave a Scotch song called " The Lolly shop," accompanied by dance called the lonach. The song itself was not effective, the singer being out of breath with his previous efforts, but the dance was most successful. The next item was a very amusing affair, and comprised a " Chinese " song and dance. The get-up of the four performers — Messrs Shore, Burr, Gray, and Connor— was capital, the imitation of mandarins in full dress being unique, while the pigtails and other et ceteras showed up to advantage. The song was a most absurd affair, and the dance, which was a series of Kangaroo jumps, literally brought down the house. The last verse was repeated for an encore. " Silver monlight winds are blowing," sung as a quartet by Messrs Howe, Palmer, J. Eussell, and Wilson, was the gem of the second part, being a really good piece of concerted music. Mr Jenks then gave a negro song and dance, "My Susannah," and was warmly applauded, the performance being brought to an end by a most amusing farce entitled, " The Barber's Assistant." Upon the whole the entertainment was very successful, and afforded a pleasant evening's amusement.