Battery J Entertainment.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 958, 6 July 1881, Page 2

Battery J Entertainment.

A particularly large and fashionable audience assembled on Monday evening to enjoy the delectable bill of fare supplied by the company attached to the corps, and certainly those who were present had no reason to complain of the choice morceaux served up on the occasion. The opening “ overture,” as it was called was played well, albeit a little too energetically for a brass band of some 15 instruments in an enclosed hall. But, in a spirit of the greatest kindliness, let us enquire why Mr. Conductor Faram cannot give us a treat of a better kind than a most ordinary time-worn galop ? Surely by this time, his most energetic and praiseworthy members have sufficient confidence (we know they have the ability) to try something more appropriate as an “ overture,” or, indeed, any other selection where they appear on two specially-appointed occasions in the programme. t Madame Stewart met with a cordial reception, and sang in splendid voice. Her son" “ Happy with Thee,” was highly appreciated, but there was a hitch somewhere that did not tend to its successful rendering.

Mr. J. R. Scott in his usual nonchalant manner, sang a local song, and had to respond to an encore when he amused the audience by singing “On the Straight Q.T.” Following this was an instrumental solo on the pianoforte by Mrs. Bach—“ Oh, no, we never mention her.” Mr. W. May Phillips then recited a portion of that thrilling poem, “ The Spanish Champion,” but was was forced off the stage by the hoodlums in the gallery. Mr. W. Ratcliffe sang “ I’m the Prince of Paradise ” and in reply to an imperative demand contributed “ I want to go home to Mamma.” disappointment was caused by Madame Stewart not singing the prescribed song “ Oh, say once more I Love Thee,” but circumstances over which the singer had no control, rendered the departure necessary. She however, sang “ The Cantineer ” which, although not up to her previous efforts, made ample amends ; but we are impelled to the confession that the vocal part of the programe was the most unenthusiastic we have ever heard from the same performers. After the interval the band played a slow march (Flambeaux). It was well rendered, but the audience enjoyed altogether too little of it, as Mr. Faram ended it in a most abrupt manner, and prevented that enjoyment, which nearly all anticipated. The piece de resistance, was of course Mr. JF. J. Piesse’s extravaganza entitled “ Bonem Securem.” This local production is, without doubt, cleverly written, it bristles from start to finish with puns, and gives evidence of having been, not only carefully, but wittily constructed. The author is to be complimented on the success achieved, and we trust that shortlv, a reproduction of the Burlesque after more diligent rehearsals will be favored us. The musical portion of the Burlesque, and all the incidental accompaniments were entrusted to Mrs. Berry, and we need scarcely say more as that lady’s taste and skill are so generally known. Of the characters ; the part of the King was enacted by the author, but he had so much to watch as stage manager, that his representation was not all we expected. Mr. F. W. Thompson played “ Sham,” in thorough lago-like style, and proved his histrionic ability to be genuine. Mr. Berry was well cast as “ Donaldo,” and his voice was heard to advantage in some of the occurring songs and duetts. But Mr. Berry was not, as is termed “ letter perfect,” and on more than one occasion this was painfully noticeable, but pardonable through want of sufficient rehearsal. Mr. J. Bourke as “ Cashcare ” had but a trivial part, but he made the most of it, and assisted materially towards the success achieved. Mr. Cresswell made a very mild “ Murduroso,” and somewhat injured Mr. Scott’s extremely natural impersonation of “ Prigando.” In fact this latter gentleman if played up to, would have raised his small part to prominence. As “ Ching Slice,” Mr. C. Ward made up well, although' having but littletto do. Last, but certainly not least, is “ Chignonina,” Mr. M. H. Smith. This gentleman’s representation of the “ Melancholy Maiden,” stamps him as a wonderfully clever impersonator of Burlesque character. His very mode of using the fan, of poising his *4iead, and of simulating modesty, heightened by an extreme immobility of face, prove t 1 at this particular line lias been made a study and certainly the student has succeeded admirably. One littl efaux pas he made however (and that we believe more by accident than design, but which was unpleasantly noticeable) when “ on yonder rock reclining,” be displayed an amplitude of understanding,” which though pleasing to some in the gallery, met with the disapprobation of many others who were present. Great allowance is however, to be made. If burlesque is not caricatured—if it is too seriously done—it ceases to be burlesque, and certainly nothing could be more caricatured than to see a man, personating a female, habilitated in the shortest of even stage dresses, endeavoring, in a reclining position to hide his ankles by a flimsy gauze reaching barely to the knees. The absurdity of the position warranted a trifling exaggeration of action ; but we entirely acquit Mr. Smith of the slightest desire to render his part offensive. As stated before, we hope to see “ Bonem Securem ” again performed ; and if the actors will accept our advice, we would say to them that whenever a point is to be scored, make it tell, and when a “ pun ” is placed in your mouth, make the audience take it.. We had purposed to say something lengthy about the disgraceful gallery scenes and noises during the first part of the entertainment; but space will not allow. This much, however, we say emphatically that if the gallery is to be kept open at any of our future amateur entertainments ; ladies and gentlemen are to be submitted to periodical insults ; and some 200 otherwise inclined of the audience to have their evening’s enjoyment marred by a lot of juveniles, who ought to be in bed, we shall counsel the usual patrons to stay away. Indeed, henceforth it will be our special duty to ascertain if the gallery is to be open, and if so, a notification of that fact, in our columns, will be a pretty accurate gauge of the numbers that will go to other parts of the hall. We do not blame any of the Volunteers ; they did their best to preserve order ; but as it is simply impossible to do so, the best way is to shut the gallery up, at any but visiting performances. e learn that this company will give another performance with a new bill of fare on Monday, the 18th July,