THEATRE ROYAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3968, 20 November 1891, Page 2

THEATRE ROYAL.

Tie Payne Family.

After a lapse of about two years, i during which time they have been < performing to packed and delighted i audiences in Victoria, New South i Wales, and various other colonies, the i celebrated I'ayoe Family of musicians I made their second appearance in ihe Maßterlon Theatre Royal laet evening lo a crowded a nd en th usiastic audience. Considering that about one quarter of ' the inhabitants of the town are victimß to the prevailing epidemic—influenza —the hearty reception accorded (be ■ talented Family last evening must have been the more gratifying to the management. Indeed, nothing but : the first-class reputation which the Company gained on its previous visit < could have resulted in the seating : accommodation of the Theatre Eoyal being taxed to its utmost before eight o'clock, as wis the ease last evening. Although since its last visit the company has sustained an irreparable loss iu the decease of one of its most prominent members - Miss Nellie Payne —a wonderful improvement has been effected by those now constituting the company, and no greater demonstrations of appweiition could possibly have been made than thoee of the audience of last evening. Modest in ' their pretensions, charming in their demeanour, and exceedingly clever in their unique productions, the Payne Family cannot fail to captivate. The rise of the curtain last evening was the signal for a hearty round of applause, which subsided only when that most effective part song " The Bells " was produced. As an opening number this could not be beaten. It was perhaps the best vocal item on the programme, the distant echoes flf the deep-toned bells, the metallic intonations of the merry chimes, and the pro ductions of the most difficult lights and shades with wonderful harmony, held the audience fairly spellbound. The dropping of a pin might well have been heard during the rendition of the piece, and an imperative encore was the result. Mr Ralph Steele.who is possessed of a fine bass voice, with great range and compass, rendered with pleasing effect that favorite rong, " Home Sweet Home." He was followed by Miss Maud Payne, who delighted her hearers with an excellent violin solo. The company, whose programme has been rendered the more attractive by the addition of bellringing, fairly excelled themselves in tbeir excellent hand bell productions. Their time and harmony was perfect. The humorous quartette " Sobbing " was convulsing in its effects, one in dividual in the audience becoming so frantic that he pi iced his new ten-and-sixpenny hat on the floor and stamped upon it in his demonstrations of de* light. The song by Miss Alice Saunders (with violin obligato), was rendered in % most pleasing style, and was thoroughly appreciated, whilst the quartette by the company entitled " Fairy Voices " was vociferously encored. The performance of Mr Ralph Steele upon the musical glasses * as a feature of the entertainment, and was a genuine treat. The first part of the entertainment was brought to a close with the humourous trio " Three Little Maids," a representation of a portion of that well known opera " The Mikado," which would be difficult to beat. The second part of the programme was, if anything, more at tractive than the first. "The Cuckoo Gallop "by the company, the trio on the handbells, the son* " Fair Fa the Gloaming " by Miss Maude, and the humourous trios " Tickling" and " Sneezing," were excellent numbers in themselves. The violin duet by the Misses Lizzie and Maude was highly appreciated, whilst Mr Ralph Steele brought down the house and received an enthusiastic encore for his humourous song "The Bre«ch of Promise." By special request Miss Maud favored the audience with two charming selections on the violin entitled, " The Mocking Bird," and " We won't go home till morning," which enabled her to fully demonstrate the thorough mas tery she has over the instrument. Another selection on the handbells was given by the company, and the programme, which was enjoyable throughout, was brought to a elose by a humourous part song by tho company entitled, "Johnny Bchtnoker," the vast assemblage dispersing delighted, ye* enchanted with what they had heard.