"RAINBOW REVELS."

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 834, 16 December 1878, Page 2

"RAINBOW REVELS."

This is the title of one of the most pleasant drawing-room entertainments that jwe have witnessed for many years. It is .from tho pen of that prolific writer Mr. Garnet Walch, of Tasmania,'and though ■the plot is very slender, the little story is made just sufficiently intelligible to create '.interest in it, while ample opportunities ;are afforded the performers to disply to 'the fullest their yersitility. Briefly told, itiie story, is this: Mr. Caleb Buskin, a •bachelor and a retired actor, sends an in-vitation-for the three eldest of his brother's to, .pay him a visit, believing that itliey are all boys, or rather young men. The invitation is accepted, and the visitors arrive, but, contrarytoMr.Buskin'sforgone Conclusions , as to their gender, they turn out to be young ladies. When they arrive, jMr. Buskin is not at" home, and, shall it :be said, as young ladies are somewhat prone to do, they explore the house. In jtheir search they discover a complete ; theatrical wardrobe, and, being brimful of mischief, they determine upon having jsome amusement with the old gentleman, :and r decide-upon turning his wardrobe to >Mr. Buskin, hovever, overhears .the, plot, and determines, to fight, the jyb'trng ladies with their crtra weapons by iutilising his wardrobe and assuming various .characters. Everyone retires fully ; bent upon "having some amusement, and they create plenty of it. A.aeries of highly diverting incidents take place, and the audience is left thoroughly amused. Over a sco're of characters appeared upon the

stage, equally divided amongst the four performer?. Mr. Stewart gave the audience a fair taste of his "qualities as a versatile actor, appearing as a deaf gardner, a Frenchman, a German, and a rollicking son of th& Emerald Isle. In each of these he was simply perfection, the finished actoraxid polished gentleman being made perfectly apparent throughout. His dialect in each of the characters was given with , a fidelity to nature really astonishing, J while his gestures were to the manner born. His daughters, the Misses Docy, Maggie, and Nellie Stewart, were scarcely one whit less successful. Each of them appeared in a variety of characters, which they played in a capital manner. Though we have not space to criticise the various characters presented at length, we must . not fail to notice the singing and dancing of the young ladies. Miss Docy Stewart's rendering - .of a gem from '' Ernani " was superb. Every note in the difficult ( scena was taken with a firmness' and precision which clearly proved that, in addition to being a versatile actress, Miss Stewart is an accomplished and well . trained vocalist. Her Yorkshire song was also admirable, as was also the Irish medley duet ill which she took part witli Mr. Stewart. Miss Maggie Stewart . sang very sweetly " Banners of Blue," besides taking part in several duets. To Miss Nellie Stewart fell a considerable share of the vocalisation, the best of her efforts being " See how it sparkles," which was rendered with admirable taste. This young lady also sang " Maid oft Athens" capitally, and accompanied her- 1 self very nicely on the guitar. For this she received an encore, to which she responded with Emmett's " Lullaby." The several quartettes wei;e - well given by the company, Mr. Stewart also showing that he is no mean vocalist. Of the dancing we can only say that it was finished and graceful, the most noteworthy efforts being the duet and dance, " When the clock is striking eight," for which the Misses Maggie and Nellie Stewart obtained a well-merited encore, when they sang " Dancing in the moonlight," composed specially for them by their eminent pianist, Mr. Harcourt Lee. The latter lady also gave a song and clog dance, "Dat gal mit de wooden shoe," and was loudly applauded. Altogether the entertainment was the most enjoyable that we have attended for a long time, and the, for a Saturday night, large audience, fully testified their approval of the company's efforts. " Rainbow Ilevels" will be repeated this evening, and we would recommend everyone to be present.