ENTERTAINMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2587, 28 November 1893, Page 2

ENTERTAINMENT.

One of the best—if not the best—local entertainment ever given in Geraldine was given on Friday evening at the Volunteer Hall, as the third annual benefit for Dr Barnardo’s Homes for destitute children. Ever since the Misses Fish inaugurated this yearly beneficent entertainment, Geraldine people, by their warm support, have sent away annually to Dr Barnardo enough money to provide for a homeless child named Grace Saunders, who is now four and a-half years of age. The first entertainment of this nature was held about two and a-half years ago, when the Oddfellows’ Hall could not hold all who attended, and many from a disnance had to go home disappointed. Last year the large drill shed was engaged, and there was again a huge attendance, while this year the entertainment was even supported with more enthusiasm than ever; for, despite a heavy Scotch mist that set in early in the evening, .by about 7.30 every seat in the hall was filled, and at the last moment additional seats had to be borrowed from the institute and other places handy. This speaks well for the ability of our local amateurs, when they can command on a miserably dirty night, the largest audienceever seen in Geraldine. Of the entertainment we might say that it was decidedly the best of the trio, and much credit* is due to the stage managers, Major Moore and Mr R. H. Pearpoint, who, although practically behind the scenes, not taking any conspicuous part, had most of the hardest work on their shoulders. The orchestral music was excellent, and was supplied by Miss Fish (piano), Mr Thos. Sherratt (first violin), Miss Andrews and Mr E. Robson (second violins), Mr J, Colbert (cornet), Mr Crow (clarionet), Mr Horace Baugheu (euphonium). As an overture the orchestra went through “Kenilworth,” Mr J. Colbert taking the cornet solo in a very creditable manner. A couple of pretty glees, “ Of a’ the Airts ” and “ In Summer Time,” were sung with considerable taste by the company, Misses Andrews, Walls, and Boswell, and Messrs H. W. Moore, Caldor, F. Fish, and A. Erskiue. Mrs Hardy gave a splendid rendering of “ The Old Lock,” and was loudly applauded. Masters H. Berry, B. White, E. White, H. Walton, B. Walton, and J Pye went through a “Song of influenza” very laughably. The boyr-, who were supposed to be la grippe convalescents, appeared with white tacos, rod nose, and muffled up to the chin. They gave a unique performance on the nasal organ, and were redemanded. The Rtfv. M. W, Butterfield’s song, “ King Davy,” was well received. Next to this game a tableau in two scenes, entitled The Reaper and Flowers.” The song apropos was very feelingly rendered by Miss Fish, and the characters wore arranged thus : —The angel, Miss Walls; Iho mother, Miss E. Morrison; tho baby, Daisy Parker. Then an old favorite, “ The Japanese Fan Song” (by request) was nicely executed in character by Misses Burridge (3), F. Gibson, E. Masliu, M. Fisher, F. Jones, B, Pizzey, and A. Bowkett, ifem palled fort!} an encore. Mrs Hardy gave a very potent rendition of the song “An Ofd Garden,” which found favor with the audience. The next item was “ board,” a tableau in five scenes, Major Moore gave k brief and sprightly de, scriplion of the story of Bluebeard, while the tableau scenes a§ they followed vypre exceptionally good, the’ arrange nionfc, jirpSS* and “ get up ” being splendid. The characters were: Bluebeard, Mr W- Macdonald; Bluebeard’s wife, Mi?a Ncwseu; Uqc brptbor, Mr

Fish; an attendant. Miss E. Morrison; a slave, Master W. Berry. The Rev. M. W. Butterfield got a well-earned encore for his vigorous song “Jack Ashore.” Then followed, in two scenes, a satirical tableau called the “ Women’s franchise,'’ The first scene w r as like a Chinese laundry’, and represented a new order of things—men sweating under the burden of household duties. Mr R. H. Pearpomt with a lady’s apron across his chest, was hard at work over a wash tub. Mr A. Erskine made the flat iron spin across the table. Mr W. M. Moore darned a large gap in the heel of a stocking, whilst Messrs T. Sherratt and H. Baughen tried to renvr the defects in some worn-out linen This scene took immensely. The next scene represented a cricket match, taken part in only by women. Miss E. Morrisson manfully wielded the bat. Miss Wilson Smith with the wicket-keeping gloves, was determined to stump somebody. Mias Maslin was on the alert for for a catch. The bowler had a good long reach, and Misses Orbell, Macdonald, and Gibson fielded well. Mrs Winstone, as umpire, settled disputes in a very impartial manner. This tableau was most effectively staged, and the audience called for a second view of each scene. The 'Gee “Good Night, Farewell,” by the company brought the first part of the programme to an end. The second part opened with the overture “ Golden Sunshine Waltz ” by the Orchestra, and the performance concluded with the musical extravaganza “ Abou Hassar, the Wag, or Who won the Wager Mr H. W. Moore, as flarouu al Raschid, the Calif of Bagdad, was perfectly disguised in his “get-up,” and acted Ins part exceedingly well. Mr F. W. Fish acted very g jod-humoredly in the part of “ Mesroor” (the black stick in waiting). “ Abou Hassau the Whig,” being a comic part, was in good hands with Mr A. E. Dawkins, who filled in the humorous by-play very appropriately. “ The Army ” (the standing Force of Bagdad), was well represented in Mr Geo. Krause, whose “ get-up,” caused irresistible merriment. Miss Wilson Smith gave a worthy interpretation of “Zubeydeh” (the Califess and the light of Haroun’s eyes). Mrs Turtou, as “ Nuzhet,” (Abhou’s wife, a bouns femme), had plenty to do, and acted very gracefully. Miss A. Fish, as the nurse, did well, but having a minor part, with little to do, she had no chance to exhibit the ability she has for acting. The dresses in each case were very handsome, and the extravaganza was quite a change from the ordinary farce finale. Miss Fish played the accompaniments.