LAST NIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1012, 19 October 1912, Page 3

LAST NIGHT’S ENTERTAINMENT.

THE GODS DISSATISFIED

Mr Scott-Leslie, whose reputation as a versatile entertainer is well-established throughout Australasia, and those associated with him in last night’s entertainment in the Town Hall will have cause to remember a Eoxtou audience as one of the most unappreciative and rowdy it has been their lot lo appear belore. The interruptions and decidedly uncalled-for interjections came from a section in the pit, and they succeeded in pulling Mr Leslie up twice in his items, thus spoiling the effect and bringing the curtain down upon an unfinished programme. The entertainment commenced under unfavourable auspices. The business manager and one of the performers missed the mid-day train and arrived by the train which is supposed to land passengers in Foxton at 7 9’clock, but which arrived half an hour behind time. The doors of the hall were uot open to the public till after 8 o’clock and the performance did not commence until nearly 8.30. The audience, except lor a lew in the stalls aud circle, was confined to the pit, aud the delay did uot put a section of the gods in a very good humour. A very fine song by Mr Paul Verrier gave them an opportunity to give vent to their pent-up feelings aud they demanded a recall by thunderous applause and loud calls. Then Mr Leslie contributed a couple of humorous items which included a few short stories. One of these called forth sundry interjections including personal references to someone whom the interrupters were pleased to call “Baby Bliss.’’ It was now apparent that the gods preferred to provide their own amusement in preference to that which others had paid to come and listen to. They held the opinion that ScottLeslie’s reputation had not been measured by their standard. The duet by Miss Knight and Mr Verrier was well received. After an interval Miss Knight re-ap-peared and received a great ovation for her vocal effort —in fact, had it not been tor this young lady the pit would have taken complete control. Mr Scott-Leslie was subjected to a lively rally dm ing his yokel sketch and a little later he informed the audhne that unless the interruptions ceased he would bring the curtain down. This only increased the interruptions and the curtain came down. Then there was an uproar. The pianist left her post and a wait ensued. An attempt to pull up the curtain was the signal for more uproar, which was greatly increased when the curtain hung diagonally. However, this was righted and Miss Knight came on aud contributed an item aud in response to a genuine and welldeserved encore sang, Tosti’s “Good-bye.” The performer laid special emphasis on the lines “Good-bye for Ever,” and she went off amidst a salvo of applause. Another wait and more noise. Again the pianist left her post aud soon returned aud commenced to play an overture, but apparently those behind the scenes refused to face the ordeal, so the accompanist struck up the National Anthem. When the pit realised that the performance had been brought to a close there was a great uproar aud demands were made tor the return of the admission money. A crowd assembled outside the hall after the doors bad been closed, but were unsuccessful in getting an interview with the management.