THE SALSBURY'S TROUBADOURS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 569, 27 February 1878, Page 2

THE SALSBURY'S TROUBADOURS.

This talented troupe appeared for the second and last time in Oamaru last evening, at the Masonic Hall, the audience being a large and appreciative one. The performance commenced with an unsurpassably comical comedietta, entitled " A Cup of Tea," in which Miss M'Honry, Mr. Salsbury, and Mr. Gourlay sustained the characters. Mr. Salsbury, as the Irish footman, was intensely funny without exaggeration. Mr. Gourlay confirmed our high opinion of him as a comedian of great merit, and, of course, Miss M'Honry was equal to her part, and played with animation and intelligence. " The Brook " is the title of the variety entertainment that followed, and although, on first thoughts, it might appear to be an inappropriate title, after having witnessed it, one must arrive at the conclusion that its sparkling character entitles it to such a designation. The scene of the play is by the side of a stream ; the occasion a picnic, and the pleasure-seekers rollicking actors, evidently bent upon giving their etl'erveseent spirits full play. When wo say this of Miss M.vLfenry we mean a great deal, for, to our certain knowledge, there never has been in this Colony a young lady who was so full to overflowing of vivacity. Then there was .Mr. Gourlay and Mr. Salsbury, and another gentleman (the. ;;ay Troubadour of the previous evening), whose name we have forgotten, and have no means of ascertaining in the absence of the usual programme from last night's entertainment, were excellent in their several'; arts. Some of the songs and concerted pieces sung by the pleasure-seekers were most artistically performed, more especially those by Miss M ' Henry and Mr. Gourlay; for we must confess to a dislike to Miss drelli's style. Her execution is good—that is, she is capable of taking the notes in good time and tune—but the transition" between her voices with the break so palpable is not artistic, and the tremulous, emotional singing is too agonising. Miss M'Henry's style is entirely different. Fvery note solid, substantial, and full, and the same may be said of the singing of Mr. Gourlay. "Mr. Salsbury's beautil'ul recitation, "The Tramp," was most expressively rendered, being full of pathos. One portion of the performance caused us to feel a little uncomfortable, and that was the introduction of the imitation of a drunken pienician, atid that pienician a ladv too. As may be imagined this delicious "i,i.»,r,v/-/. fell to the lot of Miss M'Henry, and gave that young lady an opportunity of letting oil"a modicum of her devilment. But the effect of such exhibitions is decidedly not elevating—if not positively injurious—to the juvenile mind. Heaven knows wo see plenty of the reality, and are only too glad to get away from it to desire the imitation to follow us info the entertainment room. We last evening remarked that there was nothing in the entertainment approaching tiie vulgar, and recommended everybody to attend ; but, we must confess that we felt exceedingly uncomfortable last night on account of the injurious effect that ;; travesty of the scourge intemperance by a lady might have upon some of those present. As picnics are not usually celebrated for the drunkenness of the plea-sure-seekers, we really think that the company might have treated us to a sober one. "YVo mention this because we really believe that there way not a Soul present iast evening who would have been disappointed had they not witnessed such an exhibition, and with a desire to see the only blot deleted from so genuine and enjoyable an entertainment. Mr. Hall deserves the thanks of the public for the pleasure which ho has afforded them of witnessing the performances of this talented troupe, which drives away dull care, and infinitely of more value than physic.