Masterton Theatre Royal.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5030, 31 May 1895, Page 3

Masterton Theatre Royal.

MR A.H. GEE SPEAKS. The cars must liavo tingled of those who voted against a Town Hall at tho Trust election yesterday, and who wore afterwards present at the Theatre Royal last night, when Mr A, H. Geo unburdened himself with reference to the dreary, dirty, ! draughty, damp, and dilapidated apology for a place of public entertainment, which for so long has been a standing disgrace to tho town of Masterton, Mr Oee did not like the looks of the place whim he first saw it from tho outside; ho was moro than disgusted | when ho went inside; but when the performance started and the gentle zephyrs nearly blew the lights out and the teeth of the whole company began to chatter audibly, while the audience—-muffled in top-coats and wrappers—resembled more a band of explorers cii mule for Arctic climes than a gathering of ladies and gentlemen assembled to listen I to sweot song and music—Mr Gee (who is naturally a most amiable man) gave way under the strain : amlcomingto the front made a few remarks, Some of them wore not alas! original. Snazollo, Walter lientley, Christie ir in ray, and other more or loss noted personages have said very nasty things about that Hall, ami yet it still stands! Let us hope the result of yesterday's Town Lands Trust poll may lead to a better state of things and that right speedily. In the course of his denunciation Mr Gee said:--"It is, without exception, the very worst place I ever sang in!" " You (the audience) are not comfortable. You cannot be, in such a place. I had intended giving another concert to-morrow night, but- I cannot askyon to come to this wretched barn!" " This place is not built to sing in. Why, one cannot speak in it, without difficulty! In fact, it is only fit to store rubbish in! Ido not know tho proprietor or the Company owning it, but if I did, I would say, 'pull it down,' for Heaven's sako!"

—"lf ever I come to Masterton again—it won't be for years at anyrate—l do hope you'll have another Hall. I hear yon arc moving in that direction, and I'm heartily glad of it!" After this, Mr Geo seemed to feel better, and except for several wondering glances upwaids, to try aud ascertain where the notes he had just sung had reallygone, he didn'tmakc any moro fuss, Miss Marion Sampson, with a merry little smile, endorsed her chief's protest by makiug her appearance in a huge opera cloak, but this did not interfere in any way with her sweet singing, and the programme was i faithfully rendered.