Academy of Music.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4913, 8 October 1884, Page 3

Academy of Music.

Mutual Improvement Association's Cokverßazione.

A large audience assembled in the Academy last night on the occasion of the annual entertainment-given by the above Association^ An excellent musical pro gramme was arranged for the first part, and those who took part in it are lobe congratulated for the success which at* tended their efforts. Tbe entertainment opened with the "Marche aux Flambeaux" as an overture; this was very spiritedly played by the Thames Choral Society's orchestra. Mr Coney sang " The Old Bridge" very well, and bis contribution was followed by what was cer tainly the gem of the evening, viz., the rendition by Mrs Keogh, of a very pretty composition, entitled " Let me dream again." This morceaux was charmingly given with expression- and taste, and mpre than merited the outburst of applause which followed it. Mr Coath dis played much feeling in bis recital of extracts from the pathetic " Virginia," and his efforts received due appreciation. The duett "The moon hath raised her lamp" was carefully sung by Messrs Bayldon and Steward. The following number, instrumental quartette by Miss Coney (piano), and Messrs Beale and Stewards (violins) and Puckey (violincello), "Beethoven's 2nd quartette," was excellently played, and showed an amount of precision which could only have been due to careful practice and the possession of more than ordinary musical abilities by the performers. The execu-. tion of the selection by each player dis~ played attention, to all the beauties of the composition. A very pretty song entitled, "Punchinello," was sweetly rendered by Mies S. Coney. This yoang lady possesses a rich contralto voice, and her very successful use of it last night was a great acquisition to the evening's eDter» tainment. The first part of the programme was brought to" a close by " The Fog Bell." which was very well sung by Mr Bayldon, and met with the appreciation of the audience. Mrs Kirkpatrick acted as accompanist throughout the evening, land it would be quite superilous to say more, her well known competency rendering any praise, a work of supereros gation. Mr Bagnall, President of the Association, thanked those who attended, and said the association was now two years old, and he thought that since its inauguration it had fulfilled the objects with which it was formed, viz., the mental improvement of its members. Its meetings had been interesting, and well attended, and as they had done so well in the past, he was hopeful they would do even better in the future. The society was in good working order, and for the coming term several papers and lectures had been promised by several able persons of Auckland and Thames; one, he might mention, was a lecture on "Ancient Egypt,' 1 by Professor Tucker, of Auck* land, which would be delivered on Nov. 3rd.

The second part of the programme consisted of the two-act drama •• Through Fire and Water," in which several amateurs (members of the Society) took | part. The characters in it were filled as follows : —Ruth, Mrs Fenton ; Honor Bright, Miss Wolff; Joe Bright, Mr F. Burgess; Mike Biddies, Mr B. Harrison ; Kit Coventry, Mr W. Coath; Philip Dashwocd, Mir W; Tregonning. The play was a somewhat arduous one, rather long, and must hare taxed the memories I of the performers to no small extent. The drama did not give too much scope for the display of' any strong dramatic power, but those who took part in it deserve credit for the conscientious manner in which they filled their roles. The happiest characters were those of Honor and Kit, and at the hands of Miss Wolff and Mr CoathJ they received full justice, then Ruth and Joe, two steadier and more sentimental kind of persons, were very well represented by Mrs Fenton and Mr Burgess. The arch villain was creditably played by Mr Harrison, and Philip Dashwood, villain ■No;. 2, christened " curly plantations " on account of his well nourished whiskers, was carefully pourtrayed by Mr Tregonning. The voice of the prompter was heard a few times, but taken altogether, the drama went off well, and at its close, the audience called for a reappearance of the performers. Between two and three hours dancing brought a very pleasant entertainment to a close. Mr L. W. Pargons officiated as pianist for the terpsichoreans. - •