Sunday School Entertainment.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4293, 4 October 1882, Page 2

Sunday School Entertainment.

The entertainment on behalf of ti>e funds of St. George's Sunday School, held at the Academy ot Music last night, was fairly well attended, and passed off Tory satisfactorily. The weather was threaten ing, yet the front seats were filled to overflowing, and there was a fair sprinkling of visitors in the gallery ; the pit alone presenting a beggarly array of empty benches, and this latter was probably in some measure due to the management not adopting sufficient means to popularise the concert. Several ladies who were well known and exceedingly popular in days gone by, but who have since sought the comparative seclusion of matronhood, came out once again to lend assistance to their well beloved -Church. Amongst these : was Mrs N. Payne, who several years ago, as Miss Hawkes, was quite an institution at St. George's, and in those days, unless she occupied the bead of the front seat on the right side of the-choir, one speedily missed some one who should be there. When Mr Payne led her away from that position by the matrimonial chain, members who thus regarded her felt they had a mild grievance against him. If any change has taken place, the band of time .seems to have wrought an improvement, for never, did she appear to greater advantage than last night. She sang "Kath> leen Mavourueen," " Kjllarney," and "Gathering Shells," with great expres" sion. The latter especially was a gem, there being an echoing chorus behind the Btaee. She also took part in a duet " The Elfin Call," with Mrs Calder, which was much appreciated, the latter lady having a mellow, well-cultivated voice. What has been said of Mrs Payne holds good with regard to Mrs Brassey, who as Miss Hunter, : was. a£ familiar to Thames audiences as household words. She was always ready to assist in every good cause, and that is saying a great deal, inasmuch as her well-tramed voice, and musical ability ensured, r .that her songs would sparkle amongst the brightest jewels of the concert. L:.st night Mrs Brassey was enthusiastically received when she appeared to. sing "Scenes that are Brightest," and in response to a hearty encore she cheerfully contributed another song. Just as the new year follows the old, the Hunter family develop fresh conserfatories of . musical talent. Miss Hunter bids fair to soon fill the place in vocal circles once held by her sister who; now reposes in Hymen's bower. " Children's^ voices/ sung by her, was a genuine treat, and she likewise was called upon to pay the penalty due to admiration. Mr Coney givfj} the " Silver Cup" in gocd style, and our old favorite, Mr Airey, "-Thja Blacksmith," with excellent precision, bat this song at a*)y time is more suitable for a bass than a tenor voice. A piano duet by Mrs Kirkpatrick and Miss Belcher, was executed with exquisite skill; and the latter lrdy acted 1 as accompanist throughout the evening.., Mr Wiseman, as usual, brought down the house with a local soDg on the-harbor and the railway, and an humorous recitation on the Hon. John Bryce and the Thames volunteers. It were superfluous to add ihat his remarks relative to the Defence Minister, took the, form of left handed complements. Hi* efforts should : Lbe conducive .to the good health of the auchWJfcei foß;ithey;*-laugb^i^abiißdaatlyj Evidently there is plenty of "Life in the old boy yet. 1' The farce of "To oblige* Benson," very creditably sustained by the members of the Toole Club, concluded an amateur entertainment, in merit much beyond the average.