McFARLANE’S HALL.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 929, 26 March 1881, Page 4

McFARLANE’S HALL.

The benefit for the widow of the late W. H Robinson was largely attended on Wednesday evening, and notwithstanding that a deviation from the advertised programme was of necessity made, the audience appeared to be thoroughly well satisfied. The opening was the celebrated scene from King John, in which Mr. Thornton enacted the part of Hubert in a scholarly manner, whilst as the unfortunate Prince, Miss Aimee Thornton displayed great histrionic ability. This young lady is always pleasing, and invariably succeeds in gaining enthusiastic plaudits from all present. The youngest “ Little Buttercup ” on the stage is Miss May Thornton, who at the recent performance completely brought down the house. Her make up was capital, she sang well and correctly, and acquitted herself most creditably. She also sang “ Down amongst the Daisies and “ Not many Years ago ” in a very clever manner, and was loudly praised by all. Miss Aimee it is almost needless to say, in her song “ Take Me Back ” executed it with artistic taste. Mr. Wm. Ratcliffe we have often heard before, but we can hardly remember hearing him in better voice, or dit-

playing such chic, as on this occasion., Mr. F. J. Piesse read an original production in which he punned upon the names of most of our settlers and townspeople, to the satisfaction of the listeners. The capital farce of ‘"A Bilious Attack,” brought the entertainwnt to a close in which Miss and Mrs. Tnornton and Messrs. J. Bourke and Chas. Mogridge kept the audience in roars of laughter during its progress. We had omitted to mention that Mr. N. Thornton gave a recitation, a la militaire “ The Charge of the Light Brigade,” which was well received. The Thornton Company leave for the North next week, and we wish them every success.