VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 492, 9 October 1909, Page 3

VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT.

A BUMPER HOUSE

There was a full house to listen to the excellent variety entertainment given in the Public Hall on Wednesday evening last, under the auspices of All Saints’ Ladies Guild, and the audience showed marked appreciation of the programme submitted. The juvenile play “The Princess and the Swineherd,” occupied the first portion of the programme. The girls and boys who took part had been carefully coached by Mrs W. S. Stewart, who fairly revels in work of this nature, and has a happy knack of bringing out latent juvenile talent. Miss Ivy Small, as “Princess May,” excelled herself, as did also Misses E. Langley (Chili Vinegar, chief Lady in Waiting), G. Gavey (Pickle, Maid of Honour) and E. Robinson (Chntnee, Maid of Honour) in their respective roles. Masters Basil Walls (Prince August) and Bertie Wyeth (Emperor) displayed exceptional talent in the parts allotted to them, and reflected much credit on the patient and zealous efforts put forth by their untiring and persevering instructress’. The two pages, Rasters Pene.m and Walls, also acquitted themselves in a most excellent maimer. The others taking part were the following chorus girls : Misses Mary Collins, Elsie Parker, Doris Small, Rose Hadfield, Florrie Edlin and Elsie Aldridge. The stage presented a most pleasing and picturesque scene, when at the rising of the curtain, the audience was confronted by these quaintly dressed “ little people,” each being characteristically attired in Turkish garb. Mrs Stewart wishes to thank al tlhe parents of the children for their ready and courteous help, also Miss Jenks as pianiste for her cheerful and indispensible services at all times. ■ The children were painstaking, and it is affirmed by Mrs Stewart that the daily practices prior to the evening of the entertainment were a delight to both teacher and taught. The second half of the programme was devoted entirely to the Huia Minstrel Troup, under the able and efficient management of Mr A. E. Jenks. The circle was composed ot Messrs Bullard, Sales (bones), Hadfield, Lindley (tarnbos.), Preston and Wrigley ; Mesdames Tiviotdale, Wrigley, Clemett, Healey,' and Misses Signal and. Barber, with Mr Jenks as host. The hideous and glaring costumes of the corner-men were in strong contrast to the ladies arrayed in snow white, each with a single huia feather bedecking their powdered hair. Much amusement was caused by the various loca “hits” made by the “darkies” in their jokes, and the comical antics and funnyisms of Mr Sales, who kept the audience in a perpetual simmer of merriment, funny enough to make the proverbial cat laugh. The opening chorus, “Rainbows,” by the company, was a great treat; Mr Preston in character received a great ovation for his rendition of “Early in the Morning,” and later on he was accorded a vociferous encore in his song, “Taxi Meter Car,” which was sung in his usual pleasing and well finished style ; Mrs Wrigley was loudly applauded for her two songs, as were also Misses Barber and Signal in their respective items ; Mr Bullard’s songs were well received by the appreciative audience, likewise Mr Wrigley’s rendition of “Sweet Nellie Bawn”; Mrs Tiviotdale was in good voice, and had to respond to an undeniable encore ; Mr A. E. Jenks was particularly successful in his two songs, “ Maoriland ” and “ When the Fields are White with Daisies”; Mr Lindley brought down the house with his items and was compelled to respond to a double encore. As usual, Miss Jenks left nothing to be desired in her capacity as pianiste. Special mention is due to all who assisted in any way to bring the function to its successful end, and the funds of All Saints’ Ladies Guild will be greatly benefited thereby.