CATHOLIC ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2677, 7 September 1889, Page 2

CATHOLIC ENTERTAINMENT AT CAMBRIDGE.

A verv enjoyable concert and dramatic entertainment was given in the Public Hall, Cambridge, on Thursday evening, at which, in addition to local talent, Miss Julia Knight and the Rev. Dr. Egan, of Auckland, assisted. The dramatic portion was confined to the children who attend the Catholic school, and they deserve great praise for the manner in which they took their various parts. Miss Gray, upon whom the whole of the training of the little ones fell, also deserves great credit for the pitch of perfection to which she had brought them, for the amount of trouble and patience expended upon the undertaking must have been immense. We aro pleased to think that her efforts will be amply rewarded by the "bumper house" that attended. The entertainment commenced by a flute solo by Dr. Egan, Donizetti's "Non Giova II Sospirar." The curtain then rose upon a very pretty fairy scene, the stage being nicely decorated with ferns, etc. Crowe's vocal valse, "Fairy Voices," was very nicely danced and sung by twelve of the young ladies, Miss Katie Kerr making a splendid fairy queen. Miss Jessie Wilson presided very efficiently at the piano, and Dr. Egan kindly assisted with the flute. After a short interval the concert commenced, of which the following is the programme: —Flute solo, " Blumenlied," Dr. Egan, encored, and Schuloff's " Confidence " substituted; song, '• If I were a Knight," Mr H. Wilson ; song, " Forget and Forgive," Miss Knight, fluto obligate by Lr. Egan, encored, and "Two's Company " given ; song, " The Good Shepherd," Dr. Egan, encored, and " Father O'Flynn " substituted; song, " Only to see Thee Again," Miss Cassidy, encored, and reulaced by that ever-welcome " Barney, take me home again " ; song, " Remember me rio more," Miss Knight, who responded to an encore with Pontet's "Never Mind"; song, "To Anthoa," Dr. Egan, and in reply to an uproarious encore, lie gave an imitation of a racecourse nigger troupe ; song, "Alas those Chimes," Miss Knight, who contented herself with bowing in reponse to an undoubted encore. After a ten minutes interval, " Dick Whittingtonand His Cat " was performed, the dramatis personam being as followsWhittington (a boy of poor but honest parents), Master W. Kerr; Mr Fitzwarrcn (a London merchant), Master F. Plescher; Alice (his daughter), Miss O'Neill; Captain Jack (captain of Fitzwarren's ship), Master J. Plescher ; Cook (head of the culinary department in Mr Fitzwarren's establishment), Miss L. Madigan ; John Thomas (a page), Master R. Kerr ; King of Barbary, Master R. McGarry ; Queen of Barbary, Miss K. Robbie; Interpreter, Master J. MeKernan ; Sunbeam, Starlight, Twilight, Moonbeam, Silverinooii (fairies), Miss K. Kerr, Miss li. Madigan, Miss Agnes Plescher, Miss Annie Plescher, Miss R. McVeagh. The performance was an excellent one, Miss L. Madigan showing histrionic ability of no mean order, and being, to our thinking, the best, although several of the others are worthy of special mention, had we space at our disposal. It is evident from the number of encores, that the concert was thoroughly enjoyed. Miss Knight fairly astonished the audience by her rich contralto notes, and indeed they, would have been contented to listen to this gifted lady all night. Miss Cassidy's fine powerful voice was heard to advantage. She has greatly improved in her singing and will doubtless be frequently solicited to appear before a Cambridge audience again. By his flute playing and singing Dr Egan at once stamped himself as a first-class musician. The sympathetic manner in which he played the obligato to Miss Knight's song, without having had any rehearsal, proving that music is a part of his nature. His flute solos were not of the florid and difficult description, bristling with variations, usually played by soloists, but were beautiful airs, played with exquisite feeling, the intonation being perfect. His voice is not a strong one, but he nevertheless sang " The Good Shepherd " and " To Anthea " in a masterly manner. Ia his comic songs ho fairly brought down the house ; his facial expressions are wonderful to behold, and the manner in which he changed his voico in the nigger minstrel performance was quite a work ot art. His laugh is very catching, and at one time the whole house was convulsed for about five minutes. He also told a very funny tale of a friend of his who had had his hair cut, which terminated in a most unexpected manner, and caused great amusement. We certainly think Dr. Egan has mistaken his avocation ; we heard one of the audience remark that " he could give Maccabo points," and another said •' our local funny tnan will hare to take a back .seat after this." In consequnce of the numerous encores it was very late when the performance terminated, but everyone went away thoroughly satisfied.