THE CLARK-CHRISTIAN ENTERTAINMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4388, 13 April 1875, Page 2

THE CLARK-CHRISTIAN ENTERTAINMENT.

Considering the prestige of Mr. Clark and the reputation of Miss Christian, it was not at all surprising to find the Odd Fellows’ Hall crowded to excess upon the occasion of the opening entertainment last evening. The Marquis and Marchioness of Normanby were present, and, as at former entertainments given by Mr. Clark, the auditory, composed chiefly of ladies, was a very brilliant one. The programme was framed so that the items alternated between Mr. Clark and Miss Christian, and thus the entertainment was varied, though it was not made more interesting than when Mr. Clark delivered lectures instead of sketches. This is a tribute to Mr. Clark, yet it is not disparaging to Miss Christian. Mr. Clark’s humor, his pathos, his elocution, and his oratorical force enable him at all times to hold his hearers in subjection to his power, so that he stands in no need of extraneous aid to make his lecture delectable. Still, Miss Christian, in her sphere, exercises an equally potent charm, and it is only just to mention that despite the efflorescent and overshadowing influence of the celebrity with whom her name was placed in conjunction, the audience were extremely expectant in her regal'd, as an evidence of which she received a most enthusiastic reception. She possesses a sweet musical voice of the mezzo-soprano rather than the contralto quality, and sings ballads with exquisite taste and exceptionally fine enunciation. Her songs last evenings displayed a good range, with some fine firm notes in the upper register, which, together with a passionate yet unaffected style, created a very favorable impression, and won warm applause. “The Lime Trees by the River” (Macfarren), “ Oh, Take me to thy Heart Again” (Balfe), and “Kate O'Shane” (Linley), comprised Miss Christian’s selections, but her method so captivated the audience that the numbers had to be doubled, the encore pieces being “Strangers Yet” and “Come Baoktoßrin,” Miss Christian simply bowingher acknowledgements to the third encore. If there was any choice—and it was difficult indeed to make a choice—“ Kate O’Shane” and “Come Back to Erin,” were the most effective, for the simple reason that they gave moat scope for the display of that feeling which is appropriate to the true ballad style. Excepting “Enoch Arden,” Mr. Clark’s selections were taken from Dickens, and included “ Mr. Pickwick’ Shooting party,” “ Christmas at Bob Cratchit’s,” and the “ Sairey Gamp ” sketch, which Mr. Clark has made memorable after a fashion peculiar to himself. The Shooting Party, and Bob Cratchit’s dinner, were the funniest stories of the evening, Mr. Clark’s method of bringing out the humor giving it double point and setting it sharper to the senses. It is a superfluity to mention that Mr. Clark also was frequently applauded, and that the entertainment was thoroughly enjoyed by the audience from first to last. Miss Christian’s songs for this evening are—“ The Beating of my own Heart ” (Macfarren), “ Will he Come” (Sullivan), and “Once Again” (Sullivan).