"TWA HOURS AT HAME."

Thames Star, Volume III, Issue 1686, 29 May 1874, Page 2

"TWA HOURS AT HAME."

The Kennedy family gave the first of their cleTer entertainments at the Academy of Music last evening to a large and thoroughly appreciative audience. Although the burden of the entertainment, falls upon Mr. Kennedy, senior, his three sons and two daughters are invaluable accessories, and therefore are entitled to credit. Having heard so much of Mr. Kennedy's " twa hours at hame " we were prepared in^' some measure, for a treat, but we confess that the programme presented far exceeded expectations. The first part of the programme.was sustained by Mr. Kennedy unassisted except in the matter of accompaniments to the songs, which were given by the Misses Kennedy. Punctually at eight, o'clock Mr. Kennedy introduced, himself and his illustrations of Scottish song and -.Scottish life and character—the latter by a passage from Burns'" Cottar's Saturday Night." This was followed by the charming domestic song " My am fireside," which Mr. Kennedy gave in a feeling manner which appealed to the sympathies of;lii's listeners and prepared them for the faithful delineations of character following, embracing selections grave and'gay, pathetic, humo-: rous and patriotic. Mr. Kennedy intersperses his.songs with anecdote and story in such an agreeable manner that no sense of weariness is allowed ... to arise; and whether in song or story, there is such genuine; hearty Reeling'imported that it is difficult to discriminate which enjoys the entertainment most, Mr Kennedy or his audience. -The second part opened with a duet on the pianoforte by the Misses Kennedy, which was admirably rendered. Thar fine old glee " Hailing Smiling Morn " crime next, and this served to show what training and practice can do in harmoniously blending voices of different quality. It also shewed how valuable the accessories before referred to are in carrying.out.an entertainment, which in ordinary hands would become stale in a very short time. Several . part songs were rendered in perfect style. " The March of the Cameron Men," by Mr David Kennedy, wjth,chorus by the company, was spirit stirring, andflike every item in the programme evoked the warmest applause. The entertainment^ was throughout one of the most enjoyable we have ever listened, to: Step by gtep Mr Kennedy carried his listeners along until the finale—that national anthem of Scotland " AuldLangSyne"—-when quite an enthusiasm prevailed, and it did not require a second invitation for the audience to rise and many to join in a chorus which made the Academy ring again. There was not a single encore during the evening. Some attempt was, made to obtain a repetition, but Mr Kennedy's happy manner of averting it not only satisfied the audience but spared the singers whose efforts had just [been sorely taxed. The published programme was faithfully adhered to, and f even then the " twa hours " were extended iover two and a quarter of ordinary time, iat the end of which we believe there were many present who'could have sat and listened to a repetition of the whole. We are convinced that each night of the Kennedys' stay.-.they will have a goodly company. Those who have been will feel to go again, and as there is a change of programme each evening there will always be somethiiig new, Mr' Kennedy's store being apparently inexhaustible. ;V'"