AMUSEMENTS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 49, 7 June 1910, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS.

riSK JIT.ILEE SINGERS. The ever-welcome Fi.sk Jubilee Singers presented one of their unique entertainments at the Theatre Royal last evening. .Considering the number of caUs made on local playgoers during the past week or so, and the fact that there were counter-attractions last evening, there was a good attendance. The great reputation established by the Fisk Jubilee Singers many year's ago is fully maintained by tlie present artists. The audience last evening was keenly appreciative in the reception given to every item, with the result that the original programme was considerably lengthened by numerous recalls. For several of tlie numbers double encores were demanded. The selections rendered were well chosen and varied. Nothing more .pleasing and .artistic could be wished fur than the choruses, which were excellent exanip.Vs of ellicient part-sing-ing and quaint plantation melodv. Simplicity is the .strength of the Fisk combination, and'.so the old favorite, "Steal Away," was the opening number, and was sung with a wealth of skill and emotional charm. This was followed by "The Lord's Prayer." The next item was a bright chorus, "Good News." Mr. Sidney Hayncs sang splendidly, bv special request, "Sally Horner," but lys encore number, "Annie Laurie," was the better of the two selections. Miss Alice Baptist gave the "Song of Sunshine"' admirably. As an encore she gave "Kentucky Home," and was accorded verv kearty applause. Responding, she re-] peatcd the last verse with great verve,! moving the people to expressions of approval. Miss Belle F. Gibbons, the lady baritone, is gifted with a baritone voice true and rich in tone. She responded ( to a hearty recall for her singing of "The Castles'l have in Dreams." "Get You Beady" and "Shun Old Satan" by the company were choice numbers, and in each case the audience were persistent in their demand for encores, which were gladly given. A masterly guitar solo by Mr. E. R. Martin met with a good reception. The second part opened with a .bright glee, "Merrymakers," by the company, which was admirably "given. "Hear Dein Bells" followed. This simple, touching o!d favorite was nerhaps the bes: idioms of the eveninv. and was treau-d with great artistic linish. Miss Beriha HayiTes- Millar's sinking of "Maggie" captured the audience, and, recalled, she sang the old-time plantation melody "Swanee River." A banjo • solo by Miss Florence Dixie was cleverly manipulated. Other selections given by the company were "Climb Up," "The Lord's Writing all the Time," and "The Gospel Train. A coon song bv Mr. R. H. Collins, "Why Don't You Lub Me. Honey?" was one of the choicest iriven. and the artist was forced to respond twice. Should the Fisk Jubilee Singers pay a return visit to New Plymouth their charming work of last night will recommend them to potential audiences.

"WOMEN'S PARLIAMENT." A SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE.

The promoters of the entertainment that was held last night in St. Mary's Hall in aid of the backblocks mission have every reason to fee! gntified with the very successful result that attended their efforts to financially assist a very useful but sometimes much neglected phase of church work. St. Mary's Hall wns literally packed last night, and the porch, even, was crowded with an eager and expectant throng. The first part of the programme consisted of musical items. It opened with a pianoforte solo, "Rachmaninoff's Prelude," which was nicely played by Miss M. Evans. Then followed the song "A Summer Night," by Mrs. E. C. Robinson, of Stratford. This lady, who is the possessor of a pleasing contralto voice of wide range and power, installed herself as a great favorite on the occasion of her previous appearance here, and it was not surprising that she was accorded a most enthasiastic reception. An encore was demanded, and she gave "Four by the Clock." Subsequently Mrs. Robinson rendered "A Dream," achieving the same

success as previously, and, on being recalled, gave "In. My' Garden." This also evoked a demonstration of gratification, which was only appeased by her singing another item, "The Shepherd's Cradle Song." A violin solo by Miss O'Leary was a feature of the programme. Misses Taylor and Crawford, whose voices Wended harmoniously, were recalled for their rendition of "Across the Blue Waves," responding with "The Rose." Miss Carte ably recited "The Bashful Young Man's Proposal," and as an encore convulsed the audience with "The Skinners." Miss Warren acted as accompanist.

The second part of the programme consisted of the piece de resistance, "The Woman's Parliament." When the curtain went up, only empty 'benches were to be seen. The Clerk of the House, however, in a few terse and clear remarks, informed the audience that "women were now in power, and men had been disfranchised. A debate was now about to take place as to whether men should be enfranchised again." The members then began to stroll through the hall singly, and in twos and take their respective seats on the Government - and Opposition benches, the eccentric, ■ though perhaps characteristic, dresses in ■ which they were garbed affording con- , sMeraWe amusement. When the session [ opened the following members were • present:—The Speakeress, the Hon. Lady i Mary Freygod, K. C—Miss Godfrey; i Premieress, the Hon. L. Weightyinati ter—Mrs. Claude Weston; Minister for i Internal Affairs, the Hon. Davine Budi doss—Mrs. T. R. Southall; Minister for . Finance, the Hon. Taxless Financey— Miss Staii'.lish; Minister in Charge of • Tourist Department, the Hon. Ratorua ■ Donne—Miss Fitzherbert; Minister of ■ Justice, the Hon. Kairplay Wright—Miss > Carte; Native Minister, the Hon. Wi . Kumikuini—Miss Skinner; M.P. for Xew , Plymouth, Miss Petroleum Suffragette—- , Miss B. Matthews; M.P. for Auckland, I Mrs. Golddust Champion—Mrs. W. J. Penn; M.P. for Christchwrch, Mrs. Tomasina Tayloress—Miss L. Fftzherbert; M.P. for Waimate, Rev. Mrs, Shortwind Dryasdust—Miss M. Evans; M.P. for «t. Albans, Miss Forlorne Hoj/c —Miss Jackson; M.P. for the Hutt, Mrs. Rainey Want ford—Miss Brewster; M.P. for Mount Ida, Miss Perky Crater—Miss •T. Hemptoii; M.P. for East Coast, Miss Frimley Peach—Miss Glasgow; Lender of the Opposition, Lady de Muggins— Mks Saxton; M.P. for Wellington, Mrs. Tlcnrv Hawkins—Miss Devenish; M.P. for Westport. Mrs. Bridcet Donoghnc— Mrs. D. K. Morris in; M.P. for Dunedin. Miss Kirsty McPherson—Miss Stuart: M.P. for Timiru. Mrs. Cuttem Sharpe— Miss B. Evans; M.P. for Oamaru, Mks Llewellyn Stone—Miss Stephenson; M.P. for Svdi'nham, Miss Selina SimpletonMiss D. Bedford; M.P. for Waitotara, 1 MUs Julia Rossvwalk—Miss K. Hamer- • ton; M.P. for Hawke's Bay Miss Pris- ■ cilia Booth—Miss W. Webster; Cler. of / the House, Miss Penelope Scribe —Miss A. Wilson; Serge»nt-:at-Arms, Major Buster Martini—Miss Bewley. Some time later the M.P. for Paritutu, Mrs. Te Rangi Pai (Mrs. Sladden) and the Native Interpreter, Miss Adept Phraser! (Miss F. Evans), came in, and the House'

was complete. The .business opened with the usual questions by members, and these were very cleverly thought out, as were the answers, and roars of laughter followed as each local hit was perceived. The "debate"' then took place, and was conducted xory vigorously, argument* pro and con being ably and tellingly adduced. The audience followed the debate with interest, carefully noting the various "points." The arrival of the mouse, however completely upset the equilibrium of the "House" for a while, and was probably the means of man obtaining his voting rights once again. The whole .performance went off without a hitch, showing that the ladies must have devoted considerable time and patience to their work. Where all enacted their .parts so aibly it would be invidious to .particularly mention any individual.

Those who were unable to attend last night will be pleased to hear that the performance is to be repedted on Thursday evening, when a complete change of the musical programme will H>e rendered. Mrs. K. V. Robinson has again kindly consented to assist.