BENEFIT CONCERT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9019, 5 December 1907, Page 2

BENEFIT CONCERT.

A packed audience last evening greeted the Mavtoii amateurs, who put on a fine programme in aid of a benefit fund to Mr Will J.-Peacock. Every item was of the very highest order, and taken as a whole the entertainment proved to bo one of the most successful yet held in Marton. The programme was opened by a minstrel troupe. The sceno was a bachelor's den and the host was Mr A. Train, fellow bachelors, Messrs E. Jolly and W. Lightbourne ; gnosis, Meosrs F. Wilkes, T. O'Donnell; .&.',. Hunt,- if; M'Gregor, R. "McDonald, S. Minifie, W. Humphries, and R. Ingle. The coons were Messrs J, McKiunon, J. Pawsou, M. Walters and F. Dunne, and they mado four rather good looking niggers. The chorus work by these entertainer was excellent and the local hits and conundrums by the coous fairly captivated the audience. The songs given by the following were e?ithusiastically received and several were encored: —Coon Song, "Jake's Lad der," J. McKinnon ; song, "Dowit Where the Silvery Mohawk Flows-, '•* F. Wilkes;' comic song; ; "We' All walked'into the Shop.,'-' J. PawsOn; song, "The Last of the Boys.'! AJ Train; ragtime, ".Chicken Feathers*"' F. Dunnes song (descriptive),'; Pacts of Cards,''' A. Hunt; End s'oug, "Whistling Coon," M. Walters. The mysterious box trick neatly performed by Mr J. A. Pawson scored the biggest "hit" of this attractive portion of the entertainment. A great deal of the success of any comedy production depends upon thti selection of the principals. The success of "Oh, What a^Day," concern'; ing whjch o, good of in'tervS* was mainfested, was therefore assured, for it is doubtful whether the various characters in this well-known piece could have been more wisely allotted. They were all admirably suited to their parts and the prodnntiou was certainly a decided svioceoa; and Messrs 3. yJoker and W." E; Little, under -whose "management tli'e comedy was produced, are to b 8 warmly complimented. The cast of characters was :—Mr T. Caddy (prol per) a harmless grocer' and respect; able inember'of society, B. Cpker; T. Caddy (improper)'alias "Toaikins" alias ''Johnston," a swindler, W. Mclndoe; Vitriol Bums, E. E. Jolly; Sergeant Quickmarch, S, Hunt; Mr SniffoinalJ, E Woolby j Montmorency Jones, proprietor of Rosherville Theatre, W. J. Mogridge; Angelina Mary, wife of Ti Caddy, Miss E. Mogridge; Hada Halice, nurse girl, Miss R. Bishop; Lucre tia, Miss N. Walters. Thfi Marton Band, under Bandmastes Sharpo, played exceedingly well Tj|' a descriptive selection "A Trip tci Blackpool,'"' describing a scene of merry-making at a popular seaside' resort. The band received quite aii ovation at the conclusion of this selection. Two illustrated songi wore given, fine lantern sliclSi, being showp 'by' Mr John A Beli." Miss Holdaway sang !,"Ora Pro Nobis?' very pleasingly, aid Mr. T? O'Donnel} rgpeiyed a vociferous encore for hfs song "Please Mr Conductor."'" A duet "Hurry up, Pompey," by Misses Holdaway and F" Sicely was warmly applauded. A combined orchestra under "Mr ' "Bevt Crozier played two select.ions and during the interval Mr Bert Crozier's orchestra played for the first time in New Zealand the intermezzo "Red Domino,-" Much of the success of the entertaiuiiiesit is due to the untiring 'work of Mr Bert Grczier". why lias devoted a lot of his time in arranging thamusicial portion of thb programme as well as acting «s ouuducfor of tlio minstrels. Others responsible for such a splendid' eyeuiug and for the businesslike manner in which the affair was run are to be commonded, and in this particular Mr Mace Watlors, secretary, is'de; serving pf special mention, aisVi' thosu wliosp gqad' hatnro prompted them., to aid in such a deserving • objqot. .*" " ' H