ENTERTAINMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2196, 2 May 1891, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENT.

The dramatic and musical entertainment in the Volunteer Hall. Temuka, in aid of St. Joseph’s Church organ fund, on Thursday evening, was a great success. The ball was crowded to such au extent that some were unable to obtain admission, every available apace being occupied. The entertainment commenced at 8 o’clock sharp, and was ever at 10 80, and it was the best amateur performance we have seen. The programme, which was strictly adhered -to, was as follows, bat we have, for convenience, altered the arrangement:—Comedy’ in three acts, “ He would be a lord,” Dramatis personae: Daniel Jourdain, Parisian merchant, Mr J. McOaskill; George, brother to Mr Jourdain, Mr A, Clinch ; Count Dorante, friend and patron of Mr Jourdain, Mr|W. Storey ; Captain Dubar, suitor of Miss Jourdain, Mr D, McCaskill; Nicholas, servant of Mr Jourdain, Mr P. McCaskill; Oovielle, servant of Captain Dubar, Mr J. Anderson; Dancing master, Mr J. Sim; Music master, Mr E, Whitehead; Pupil, of music master, Master E, Goldstone; Fencing master, Mr J- Quinn; Professor of Philosophy, Mr J. Gillespie; Tailor, Mr J, fieri; Apprentice tailor, Master E. Goldstone; Footmen, Masters E. and J. Lavery; Police officer, Mr J. Quinn ; Notary, Mr J. Gillespie. Glees: “ Around the Maypole tripping,” “ A Garland for our fairest,” “i he Eowao Tree,” Hark, ’tis the Indian Drum,” and “From Oberon, in Fairyland,” Soprano, Misses Guy, Demuth, Lee, Connolly, and McLeod; alto, Misses Bruce, Eoberts, L. Quinn, and McAuliffe; tenor, Messrs W. and F. Storey, Clinch, and Polaschek; bass, Messrs Whitehead, McCaskill, and Goldstone; accompanist, Miss C. Quinn. Glee, “ Hunting Chorus ” (from Martha) : First voice, Misses Guy, Lee, McLeod, and Demuth; second voice, Misses Connolly, Eoberts, McAuliffe, and Quinn; third voice, Miss Bruce;accompanist, Miss 0. Qnina. Glee, “ ihe Bella of St. Michael’s Tower”: First voice, Misses M. and D. Hoare and M. Stephenson; second voice, Misses N. Driscoll, M. Brosnaban, and B, Goughian; third voice, Masses Stephenson and Goughian; accompanist, Miss L. Hoare. The glees were interspersed with the acts of the comedy. As regards the musical part of the entertainment, we have no hesitation in saying that it was excellently rendered. Many of the voices were very good, and the delightful manner in which they blended showed that they had been trained with great care, as well as consummate skill. The Rev. Father Aubry is a musician of rare ability, and he threw all bis energies into training those who took part in the glees. He had excellent material to work with, in the shape of apt and capable pupils, and the result, as produced last Thursday evening, was extremely creditable to all concerned. A little more light and shade and verve in some parts would have been better, but that would doubtless have been accomplished had the conductor placed himself more within the range of the visual organs of the singers. The accompaniments of Misses Quinn and Haar were all that could be desired.

As regards the drama, we published recently a synopsis of the plot, which will suffice for our present purposes. It is not a play abounding in sparkling wit and repartee, It entirely depends for its material to interest the audience on the senility of a poor old man, who is wealthy, and ambitious of to get into aristocratic society. In writing of amateur performances the usual custom is to praise all, and not to make “ fish of one and flesh of another,” especially when all act well, as they did in the play under review. However, in this instance the acting of Mr John McCaskill, as the silly old man, was so superior and excellent that justice would not have been done to him if he were put off with a few stereotyped phrases. Hia “ get-up ” in the various stages of social aggrandisement was capital; he bad a true conception of bis part, his enunciation was clear and distinct, and his acting as near perfection as the most fastidious could desire. The part was a very heavy one—he was on the stage from beginning to end—he was the central figure of the whole piece, but he was equal to it, and he sustained bis part in a manner that would have reflected credit on a professional actor. Mr Gillespie also spoke bis lines and acted his part of the learned Professor of Philosophy with becoming dignity; He was faultless, and so was Mr D. McCaskill as the imperturbable son of the Grand Turk, while Mr Anderson’s interpretations were excellent, and evoked much laughter. As Professors of Music, Dancing, and Fencing, Messrs Whitehead, Sim, and Quinn were most amusing, while the Court of the King of France found a gay representative in Mr W. Storey, jun. Mr A, Clinch was very good as the brother of the silly old man. Mr J. Beri as a tailor, Mr P. McCaskill as a servant, and Masters B. Goldstone as & musical student, and E. and J. Lavery as footmen, all acquitted themselves satis--1 faetorily, Not a hitch occurred from I beginning to end, all were letter-

perfect m their parts, and all deserve great praise for the excellent manner in which they went through their parts. The piece was capitally mounted, and the dresses were appropriate and good. We believe it is the intention to produce the entertainment in other parts .of the district, and if that is done we strongly recommend our readers not to miss seeing it.