Miss Hunter's Benefit.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2644, 29 June 1877, Page 2

Miss Hunter's Benefit.

The amateur performance tendered as a complimentary benefit to Miss Hunter came off at the Academy of Music last night, and we may say that in every way it was one of the most successful and enjoyable entertainments we have seen on the Thames as tbe outcome of the efforts of amateurs. The pretty little comedy with which the entertainment opened was very well sustained, and the singing which followed was exceptionally good. The house was filled to overflowing, a substantial proof that the public appreciated the intentions of the gentlemen who originated the idea of a benefit to Miss Hunter, and the beneficiaire may feel a pardonable pride at the result. " Checkmate " was the title of the two act comedy which was the piece de resistance. It is a well "written little piece, and comprises parts capable of I being made much of, and it is only justice to the amateurs to say that they acquitted themselves creditably. It is a piece which perhaps few of them had ever seen, and the conceptions were therefore original, if not so finished as old stagers could make them. The plot may be indicated briefly. An old uncle who dies at a convenient time leaves a niece richly endowed, and a nephew (a baronet), and these two ar3 expected to marry. The baronet, Sir Everton Toffee has been in India, and comes home to fulfil his part of the contract. He conceives the idea that his cousin does not care for him, but*; will marry him for his title. The cousin (Mis 3 Charlotte Busse) is convinced that her cousin will only care for her money. They both hit upon the idea of putting their servants in their positions; and so 'in the action of the piece it comes to pass that Sir Everton Toffee (Mr F. J. Burgess), disguised as a groom, makes love to his cousin'(Miss Mason), and his groom, one Sam rJW inkle (Mr Bell), personates the baronet arid j wooes the lady's maid of the heiress, Martha Bunn (Miss Hunter). The denouement discovers the mistakes, but makes everything right to poetic tradition. The situations ot the piece are very amusing; anid the dialogue is smart, and the four characters abovementioned were exceedingly well sustained. Mr W. W. Bobinson played a minor part, that of a stableman, and made the most of it, as did also Mr Whitford in the role of a gardener. Mr D. Cloonan as a waiter had not a very |rduous part, but he carried it through with th^iionchalance of an.old stager. Mr^ain^rj' who made a first appearance here, sHowed that he had a decided capacity for stage business, and he should be an acquisition to the local talent. Mr Stewart was gorgeously atared as a butler, and assumed all the importance necessary to carry out the part. The accessories were young " ladies " whose individuality was

easily discerned. It seems so long since there was an amateur performance that last night's was like a revival, and as all entered into tiie business spiritedly, theaudience were put in a good humour and enjoyed it. There was a very brief interval after the comedy, when the curtain rose and displayed the Mayor and Mr W. W. Robinson. The former said he had been requested to undertake a very pleasurable duty, nnmety, to make a presentation to Mr Robinson. He then in a short but appropriate* speech presented to Mr Robinson on behalf of the donors with a diamond ring and a set of sleeve links and studs. The studs are of Mosaic work, .and were manufactured by Messrs Finlay of Williamson street. Mr Robins-on returned thanks in a few remarks, in which he acknowledged tbe compliment' paid to him, and expressed his sense of the. kindness conveyed by the presentation. The concert, which comprised the remainder of the programme, was commenced after a brief interval. A duet by Mrs Brrce and Miss Hunter was very nicely sung and warmly applauded. Mr C. Brown sang " The Bellringer " in good style, he being in fine voice. Miss Cleave, although rather nervous, sang "Give me an English Song " very pleasingly, and this was followed by "The Lugger," from Mr Pulleine, who rendered the song in excellent voice,.was encored, and gave another song also in a very spirited style. Miss Mason sang " Somebody whispered so sweetly " in a manner that showed she had a thorough appreciation of the ballad ; her enunciation was very distinct., Mr Robinson was heard to,advantage in "Ye Gallants of England," and then Miss Hunter followed with " Ruby," which necessitated an encore, the singer obliging with the well-kri'jwn song " Strangers Now." " The whole programme was carried through without any hitch, and the audience seemed thoroughly to enjoy it. Mr E. A. R. Owen, played the' accompaniments in excellent style, and contributed much to the success achieved by the singers. The Thames Scottish Band played on the balcony of the Academy before the programme commenced, and the band of No. 2 Haurakis played down from Shortland to give eclat to the occasion; and as the benefit was under the patronage of the volunteers, friendly societies, and firemen, a considerable number of these bodies were present, some of them being in uniform, helping to make up an audience that was decidedly representative, and must have afforded great gratification to Miss Hunter and her friends, and, in a lesser degree perhaps, to Mr W. W. Robinson, who was as it were taking a \ üblic farewell of the Thames.