MR THOS. WRIGLEY'S BENEFIT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2831, 24 February 1888, Page 3

MR THOS. WRIGLEY'S BENEFIT.

Mit Thos. Wwoley's complimentary benefit at the Masterton Theatre Royal last night was a thorough success, and at a time when poor attendances have been the rule, and when the Flower Hhow was a counter attraction, we cau congratulate the Committee, of whom Mr Geo. Coker seemed to be the leading spirit, on the success which has attended their efforts, and upon the very well-attended house that greeted the amateiu'3, who generously gave their services. Of the programme itself we may say it went well from beginning to.end. The sparkling comedy, "A Husband in Clover," with which it opened, received at the hands of, Miss Beaufort and Mr A. M, Bradbury every justice, and none of its points were lost upon the audience, who m this and throughout, frequently expressed their satisfaction by emphatic applause. The musical interlude, too, was most, enjoyable. Mr O.C, Coleman sang "Anchored" in a way which made it very difficult for him to refuse the encore which was vociferously demanded, Mr Gaskill sang two serio-comic songs in excellent style, and appeared in a most "fetching" rig-out—a sort of toss up between a Chinese pirate and an Italian count—one in which his own mother would hardly have recognised him. Mr Moore's refined singing of "The Monarch of the Woods" was with his admirable voico a very pleasing item, and the instrumental contributions by the Masterton String Band-especially one particularly nice waltz-were well received. The drama £IOO,OOO, which was the event of the evening, was well acted throughout, Mr T. Wrigley being greeted with a round of applause on his appearance, and Mrs O'Connor, Miss Beaufort, Messrs Gant, Gaskill, Bradbury, aud the others, each in turn elicited expressions of the audience's approval.