ENTERTAINMENT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 5055, 19 June 1895, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENT.

An entertainment which has been looked forward to for some time, took place in St. Matthew's Schoolroom, Masterton, last evening, the building bring packed and mauy unable to obtain seating accommodation. As a change from the usual concert programme, a number of young ladies—including the Misses Costley, Crann, Walker, 0. Jago, A. i JagO; Hoar, B. Welch, Forbes, N. Williams and Jones, met together and arranged a series of charming tableaux, which, last night, were cleverly and effectively staged. The first portion of the entertainment was entirely provided by the young ladies, who, on the rise of the curtain, wero discovered sitting in a half-circle round the stage, tastefully dressed and each armed with a tambourine. 'The chorus " Funiculi] Funicula," was the first item given by (he "Ladies' Surprise Party," and proved a great success, after which Miss Walker sang "Tit for Tat," her effort being well received, A chorus- "Massa's in the Cojd: Ground"—followed, and then came the song, "In Old Madrid," well rendered by Miss 0. Jago. Another chorus "Snowdrift," and then a song by Miss Prentice entitled "The Arrow and the Song," and one by Miss Crann, entitled "A song of Heaven"—both sung with much expression. This portion of the programme concluded with "A Scrap from Mikado," in which Miss Walkor, Miss Prentice and Miss-O. Jago took the parts of the three little maids from school, the rest of the ladies rendering the pretty chorus which occurs in this portion of the Mikado. The efforts of the Surprise Party were so well appreciated, that this portion of the entertainment had to be repeated in response to a vigorous recall.

In the second half, after an interval of ten minutes, sougs were contributed by Messrs C. Ginders, Meadows, and Dr. Douglas, and a recitation—" The Bishop of Rum-ti-foo," —by Mr F. G, Moore, illlustrated with amusing ■pictures. Each performer was well received but owing to tbe length of the programme encores wero not given in any case. Tbe musical items wereinterspersed with more tableaux, arranged and taken part in by the Ladies' Surprise Party,. assisted by Masters W. Jago and W. Mason. The representations were: " Sally in our Alley";" Mary Queen of Scots"; "The Apple of Discord"; and "At the Statue of Venus," The grouping and arrangement were as perfect as anything of the kind ever seen in Masterton, and reflects the highest credit on the artistic taste of the promoters, and the public wero not slow in expressing appreciation. One thing occurred, howover, which somewhat marred the pleasure of those present—but we must hero state that it was no fault of the lady promoters and if anybody can bo blamed it was the male being whose assistance was sought to 'provide and explode certain alleged bine fire, which, instead of fire, created much smoke of a pungent nature. We further learn that he, too, is blameless, and that exactly why tho firo would not light, no one knows. At anyrate we are assured by the Misses Costloy (to whom the credit of originating and carrying out the main work in connection with last night's entertainment is really due) that if any further entertainments of a similar nature are provided nothing but real lime-light effects will be used, and colored fire will be altogether dispensed with, The musical selections wereplayed by an excellent orchestra, including Miss M, Costley, Messrs Meadows, Mowlem, Kershaw, Ginders, Eton, A, Russell, and W. Jago, and the accompaniments by Miss M, Costley and Mr Meadows..