ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2065, 1 October 1885, Page 3

ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.

«- — A (oMi'imi m \n\ benefit to Mr lii igfi^, scenic aitist, wa-> gn en in the Canibiulgr Public Hall i»i Mnndiiy e\enmg. Xnt withstanding the frequency of entei t.ini ment" of Lite, thine was a veiy good atten dance. The programme oi>ened with the popular little drama, " Our Jiitteicit Foe, 1 ' by the local dr.un.itic society, the cant being the same as on the previous occasion. Mr filial p, a-. Henri de la Fere, looked exceedingly wel!, but there was \ery little improvement noticeable in Ins acting. Theie aio ni.iny characteisi in which Mr Sharp would undoubtedly excel, for which hia manly carriage, full, lcsonant voice, and symmetrical hgure specially adapt him, but this i-, certainly not one of them. He lacks that v igoui and emotion indispensable to e\ en an indifferent repiesentation of the part, and without which it is absurd to attempt it. Mr Moore sustained the i6le of the Prussian commander very creditably, and displayed an adimiable conception of the pait tlnoughout. His memory, however, seemed to fail him at intervals, and at ccr tain stages <>f the piece the deficiency was \eiy noticeable, and maired to .1 \eiy considei.iblc extent the success <>f hi-, part. The principle interest of the piece was sustained by Miss Klbcott. This lady displayed to tho full those high qualities of emotional manifestation in which .she excels, and she is to be credited with the full accomplishment of the role allotted hei. After the inteival Mr Bnggs displayed his elocutionary poweis lur reciting " The Budge of Sighs," and "The Charge of the Light Brigade," and for a change sung a song ho exceedingly funny that the audience were nearly dnven an ay in the excess of their delight. This exquisite hainiuiiy was entitled "Yankee-doodlo-de," and was of its kind a masterpiece. The May-polo dance, done by a number of children, boys and gills, was decidedly ptetty and well 'executed. Indeed it was generally admitted to be the feature of tho evening. The programme concluded with the laughable foicc entitled "The Limerick Boy," the leading role being sustained by tint truly versatile gentleman Mr Alexandei. The other chsu.icters were sustained by Mus Elhcott, Mrs Hawley, MrShaip, Mr Moore, and Mr Biiggs. Soino of the passages weie exceeding entertaining and well repiesentod, but the taUnt displayed might have been employed to better advantage in a more classic piece, Oichcstral music of first class order was supplied by Dr. Murch and Mi Tom Haitley.