The Steele-Payne Bellringer

Manawatu Herald, 11 July 1899, Page 3

The Steele-Payne Bellringer

This talented and musical family popularly known as the " Payne Family," or as they now choose to call themselves after their re-construc-tion the " Steele-Payne Bellringers" will give one of their pleasing entertertainments at the Public Hall on Monday next, when there is sure to be a crowded attendance to greet them. This combination must not be confounded with the company that performed here some months, ago under the management of Mr W. J. Payne, who severed his connection with the present company some eighteen months ago. Although styling themselves " ballringers," it must not be concluded that bell-ringing forms the entire entertainment, as in addition to hand-bell and sleigh-bell ringing, they are accomplished pianists, violinists, glassophonists, banjo and mandoline players, and their solo and part singing (humourous and sentimental) form a. most attractive portion of their entertainment.

In addition to Mr Ralph Steele and Mrs Steele (Lizzie Payne), who are old New Zealand favorites and need no introduction, the company consist of Master Claude Steele , (their son, 6£ years old) ; Miss Kate Maher, a young lady possessed of a highly trained soprano voice of great compass and sweetness, and who is also a skilled pianist, banjo and mandoline player ; Miss Gertie Bromley, a most pleasing contralto singer, and who is also an accomplished pianist, banjoist, mandolinist, and glassophonist ; Mr J. Morris, a capable tenor singer ; and last but not least Mr Jas. Williams, whose voice is a basso profnndo of great compass and depth. We clip the following from a South Australian paper which speaks as follow : — The frequent applause and continuous encoring testified that the audience present were fully satisfied with the manner in which the performers acquitted themselves. The physical appearance of the troupe in itself puts their audience at their ease at once. There is a homeliness and friendliness about them all that takes one, and makes the performance appear more like a drawing-room entertainment than a- public performance. It is quite useless to look Mr Ralph Steele in the face and not see the fund of humour he possesses, and his wite (Miss Lizzie Payne) is so thoroughly unaffected and genuine in all her movements that the professional tricks of an actress are not to be fo lr d. Miss Kate Maher possesses a voice of rich compass, and she can use it in a very pleasing and easy manner. Miss Gertie Bromley has a rich contralto voice of great power, and is a capable vocalist, as evinced by her rendering of " The Valley by the Sea." The voice of Mr Williams is one that will be remembered for a long time to come, his deepest notes being sounded with great clearness and profundity without the lease effort of Straining, or even relaxing the muscles of the face. Mr Morris is a splendid tenor, and made a very good and favourable impression.