THE TE AWAMUTU MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIX, Issue 3193, 10 December 1892, Page 2

THE TE AWAMUTU MUSICAL SOCIETY.

Tim Public Hall was well filled last Wednesday evening for the usual half-yearly concert of this popular society. I was pleaded to see as the members filed into their seats on the platform that the strength of the society is increasing numerically and they now fill up the stage very comfortably. The first part of the programme consisted of Baker's descriptive cantata " The Burning Ship." The finished way in which this was rendered reflects great credit on Mr Long the Society's conductor, who is most indefatigable in his efforts to keep the society to the front. The various choruses were rendered with precision, the lights and shades of the descriptive music being well brought out. The incidental solos and quartettes were given by Mrs Long, Mrs Gresham and the Misses Mandeno, Holden, North, and Crooks, and Messrs Fry, Vause, Durham, Knight, and Taylor. Among the best items were the solos by Miss J. Mandeno and Miss Holden, the latter who made her first appearance in public, surprised all her friends, her sweet voice making a very favourable impression. The second part was an innovation on the society's usual programme and consisted of the well known " Tci on parle Francais." The change seemed to be appreciated by the audience, and small dramatic pieces will, I understand, be a feature of all the society's programmes in future. The cast was as follows :—Mr Sprigging Mr Gresham; Mon. V, Dubois, Mr Dawson; Major Rattan, Mr Cruickshank; Mrs Spriggins, Mrs Andrews; Miss Angelina, Miss Long ; Mrs Rattan. Miss Bocket'.; and Anna Maria, Miss Ray Lewis. The piece went with a fine swing, the different funnyisms evoking screams of laughter. Considering that it was the first appearance of several of tha performers the acting all through was vory good indeed. Mr Gresham made a regular hit as poor Spriggins, and he was well backed up by Mr Dawson and Miss Lewis. The latter as the maid of all work on strike was fetching and seemed to please the house immensely. The scenery and mounting was very pretty, and the Society may well be congratulated on its initial dramatic effort.