THEATRE ROYAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3781, 9 April 1891, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

THlil PHONOGRAPH.

Ever since it was known that Edison's phonograph, or "talking machine," the most wonderful scientific discovery of the modern age, vas to be exhibited in Masterton, the public have been on the tiptoe of expectation. The more that was read and heard of this marvellous piece of scientific mechanism, the greater appeared to be the desire to see the machine in operation. It was therefore not to be wondered at that long before th e hour advertised for the opening of the entertainment last evening, the Theatre Royal was packed from floor to ceiling. Seldom, if ever, has such a large and enthusiastic audience assembled in the Theatre, and the Messrs MacMahon, under whose enterprising direction the phonograph is, should be highly gratified with the reception g ven them on the occasion of their first appearance in Masterton. From the reports which have appeared from time to time in our columns, the public were led to expect something good, and we have no hesitation in saying that the most sanguine expectations were more than realised. The phonograph is truly the marvel of the age. It is almost needless for us to give it an extended notice—it has, as those who were present at the Theatre will be aware, spoken for itself. Professor Douglas Archibald, M.A., who is a fluent and entertaining speaker, gave a descriptive and explanatory lecture, which was illustrated by magnificent lime-light views. He explained how the Phonograph came to be invented, its construction, and the many uses to whioh it may be put, and although the audience was necessarily anxious to see a practical test of the machine and longing to become " paralysed" bj its marvellous productions, it displeyed a keen interest in the address, ani showed Its appreciation of the elocitionary and explanatory powers of the lecturer by frequent rounds of applause' And then, ap to the entertainment itself, little indeed remains for us to say. The audience became completely enraptured vith the wonderful fidelity with whidi the musical and vocal seleotiom were given. From the opening solo on the cornet by Mr Arthur Smith, right throught the banjo, c«ach horn, and tin whistle solos, tie duets on the clarionet and piano ard the cornet and piano, the songs (comic and sentimental) by the leading rocalists of the day, the pro. ductions by brass bands, and th e speeches by well-known personages the audence was fairly amazed and' bewildered. And when the familiar strains of the Salvation Army band were leard, the vast assemblage had rtached the very highest pitch (f enthusiasm, The speeches by Mr T. K. Macdonald, M.H.R., Sir George Grey, and W. E. Gladstone showel the marvellous fidelity with whichthe voices may be reproduced by the machine. Before the close of the entertainment, Hapeta, a wellknowi Native, spoke into the phonograph! and his short address waß reproduced to the astonishment of himsdf and the astounding of the manyof his Maori friends who were preseit. The entertainment, which was ihroughout one of the most univjuj and fascinating ever witnessed iu the district, was concluded about 10 pm., after which a number of ladies and gentlemen went on to the platform and heard the maohine throujh tubes to a still greater advantage. ' Th«entertainment will be repeated this evening, when we expect to see anothir packed house.