THE GOURLAYS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume II, Issue 143, 5 March 1874, Page 2

THE GOURLAYS.

A treat, such as Gisborne has never witnessed before, was given in the Music Hall on Tuesday night lust, by the Gourlay Family to an audience which lack'd nothing either in point of numbers or enthusiasm. The entire entertainment consisted of “ Mrs. McGregor’s Levee,” than which a happier selection could not have been made, as it possesses opportunities for Mr. Gourlay to develop those peculiarities of Scotch character of which he is the most perfect master. Mr. Gourlay has the reputation of being the best living delineator of the manners and customs of the people from which he sprung, and of that bonnie auld country of whose sons he is the true, type and representative. That reputation, sustained throughout the world in various climes and shades of society, for the lust dozen years, lost nothing on Tuesday night, if we may accept the hilarious exclamations of delight by the audience, (which followed incessantly his running fire of wit and humor) us an evidence. Before entering upon a notice of the performance itself, we would desire to welcome Mr. Gourlayand his family to Gisborne. During the six years that have elapsed since the writer had the pleasure of listening to these artistes, no change, except for the belter, is observable. The young lady has grown a little “nearer Heaven” in the interval, and is developing a womanly style of culture which, under able tuition, she displays to the best advantage, without the slightest approach to anything calculated to wound the susceptibility of the most severe critic. Mrs. Gourlay retains the richness of her notes in a voice that has made her celebrated in song, and on Tuesday evening it stood her in good stead, for compass and power were alike required in doing justice to the gems she produced, under so many disadvantages as performers have to submit to on the Music Hall stage. “ Mrs. McGregor’s Levee ” is performed bv three persons only—Mr. and Mrs. Gourlay and Miss Gourlay, although some six or eight characters are represented. Mr. and Mrs. McGregor, are on their wedding tour in Scotland. lie is a “ Commercial Gent,” she, a “ Foundling brought up in Englund” so say the handbills. Suddenly a telegraph despatch arrives which calls Mr. McGregor away from the enjoyment of the honeymoon ; and he leaves orders with the landlord of the Inn where they are sojourning, that he shall employ his best offices to afford Mrs. McGregor as much amusement as possible during her husband’s absence, as also to introduce to her any visitors that.may arrive. Mr. McGregor’s departure from the stage is a signal for the commencement of the fun which for two hours keeps the audience in one continued roar of laughter. Mrs. McGregor, although from England, is “ doatingly fond of everything Scotch,” and exemplifies her predilection, as well as to fill up the time during Mr. McGregor’s absence, by singing “ Sing me the Auld Scotch Sangs,” which we need not say was vociferously received. Mr. Gourlay then assumes, successively, the characters of Andrew Guidale “ the landlord of the Thistle Inn, fond of relating anecdotes and auld stories Miss Katy M'Tavish, “an old maid, fond o’ gossip, but never speaks nae ill o’ nae body, an’ no’ on the best o’ terms with Mrs. Paterson“ Mrs. Paterson a blooming Widow—fond of a thimbleful o’ the real Glenlivet—Has a’ bodies’ affairs at her finger ends—and nae love lost atwixt her and Miss Katy M'Tavish “ Needle Tam—The Packman—Deals in a’ sorts o’ queer things— Sometimes a wee bit sentimental, and fond o’ a wanderin’ life;” “Daft Watty — The Village Simpleton, wi’ mair sense than them that hao nane —Fond o’ suppin kail, and carrying the flag afore the Volunteers ‘ Kirsty Claver—The Newhaven Fishwife, a strappin’ hussy, an’ what for no ? Duet — “ Caller Herrin—Mr. and Mrs. Gourlay—with imitation of Newhaven Fishwives’ Cries and “The Auld Village Nurse—A strange story—The Missing child—Unexpected discovery—The lost one found, and heiress to the lands o’ Fairside,” in that inimitable style which, as no language can possibly depict it, it must be seen to be either understood or appreciated. The sequel to the Nurse’s discovery of the lost child is that all things end happily, as they should do, and Mr. McGregor returns to find his wife an heiress. This much of what design there may be in the piece is given for the purpose of throwing around the honeymoon an air of probability, but, as we have said, the fun is extracted solely from Mr. Gourlay’s impersonations, each one of which we pronounce as worth the price of admission. The duetto “ Caller Herrin,” was an admirable piece of acting and singing and met with a peremptory encore. Mrs. Gourlay sang at intervals, “ Kate Kearney,” “ Coming thro’ the Rye,” “ Bonnie Scotland,” “ Swiss Girl,” “ Kate O’Shane,” and others, several of which were given in answer to re-demands. Each song of this lady’s possesses an excellence peculiar to itself, but to our idea the “ Swiss Girl ” was the gem of the evening, an encore to which was readily acknowledged. Mrs. Gourlay sang with exquisite taste, not the least amongst the charms of which is a clear, crystal-like, pronunciation ; and in the “Swiss Girl” particularly, the words, set to quick music, came trilling forth, like a scintillation of pearls, each one radiant with beauty. In this Miss Minnie also followed suit, and her singing of “ You Need na’ Come Courting o’ me,” “ Larry Doolan,” and “ My Robin is shy,” established her as a favorite, whose voice will be always welcome. In these performances, there is every thing to recommend them to the taste of the most fastidious ; descending to nothing that is coarse : devoid of even a double meaning tending to vulgarity, or distortion, they are a rich feast of mirth ’to those whose tastes lie in that direction ; and those who can see Gourlay and not laugh would certainly be unacceptable company. Mr. Corbett, travelling pianist to the Company, presided at the piano. This young man is'also an old favorite, having been attached to Mr. Gourlay’s family for some years. He is a perfect musician, and executed the overture to “ Lucrezia Borgia ” and selections from “Ahnina” with masterly effect. The precision and modulations of his accompaniments were noticeable features in the entertainment. The Company perform again to-night, and those who don’t wish a blank left in their lives should not miss the opportunity of seeing them.