THE POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 138, 2 July 1872, Page 5

THE POPULAR ENTERTAINMENT.

On Thursday evening last, a numerous audience assembled at Kidd's Concert Hail to witnes; the second amatour entertainment <jiven this season for the benefii of the Athemmim building fund. The space allotted to reserved seats was almost entirely occupied by ladies, of whom there were a large number present. The performance opened with m overture highiv appropriate to the season, T!ie Fr.tziii Foa.ita-iii, —the several musical parts being sustained, at very short notice, by Mr W. H. Whetter, first violin; Master J. Whetter, second violin ; Waster R. Whette", cornet; and Mr Wh tt. :r, p ; ccolo. Toe favonn'te g'ee, Hail! SmiLnj ifjrn, was sung in admirable style by the "company," which was thus composed:—Trebles: Masters J. Barnes, Joseph Wright, W. .Marsh, James Kelly, and J. Stephens; tenors: Messrs Campbell, Sansom, Pretsch, and Foreman ; bassos : Messrs M'Kellar, Stephens, Murrell, and Jolly. The glee went smoothly and harmoniously throughout, and was decidedly the best rendered of any concerted piece we have heard this season. Several of the singers possess voices of uncommon power and sweetness ; and the various parts were well balanced. The only drawback to its complete success was the absence of the alto part,—an omiss'on which we hope will be supplied when next the glee is presented. To Mr MacKellir's thorough knowledge of the theory and practice of vocal music, and his well-known capacity for successful organisation, must be in a great measure attributed the success of the glee company on this occasion. Mr B.iird sang I'm kav'iig thee in nuri\no, Annie. with his usual good task-, and with correel musical expression. Tlie next item on the programme was a reading by Mr Frair, entitled "Women's Rights," from Arfimw Ward. Mr Stephens' song, Mo'hit- kissed me in my Dreams, was unfortunately pitched too high, and the effect of the singer's line voice was greatly marred in consequence. Wo would suggest to Mr Stephens that this favourite Christy's song w.il bear repitiiim, and we have no doubt a second attempi would be more successful. The White Squall, sung by Mr Campbell, was undoubtedly the gam of the evening ; and the audience t?st ; - iied their admiration of it by imperatively demanding a7i encore. In response, Mr Campbell gave the favourite Irish ballad. Kift'i of Culcraiuc, which was also very well received. A cornet duet, selected from an Italian opera, was performed with artistic skill by Mv and Master R. Whetter, who received well-merited applause at ; ts conclusion. Mr Sansom, one of our most gifted vocalists, fully sustained his musical reputation by the way in which he sang By the Sad Sea Wares. Mr Smyihies, before performing the part allotted to him in the programme, apologised J for the non-appearance of Mr Jolly, who had I unfortunately met with an accident, and was j nimble to do what he had undertaken. Mr Smythies then read Byron's Ode to Nap >Jeon, which afforded him scope for the display of considerable elocutionary power. The piece was somewhat too lengthy to be given before a mixed audience. Mr Pretsch—an old fai vourite with Cromwell audiences—sane; an J English version of the German song Lorelei, j —a musical moreeau full of sweetness and expression, to which Mr Pretsch really did justice. The next "warbler" was Mr Foreman, | —his first appearance as a soloist before a l Cromwell audience, —and let us hope it was j also his last. This poetaster aspires to Thatcherism. The first portion of his doggrel I effusion contained an inept allusion to a reI cent assault case ; and the concluding stanzas consisted of a stupid, namby-pamby address to the ratepayers in favour of our present Mayor,—than whom, we are sure, no one felt more annoyed at the ill-timed and nonI sensical appeal to '■ help a poor brother when

he is cast down." When was Mr Taylor cast down ? In this ease, he may well exclaim, " Save me from my friends !" The gentlemen composing the Programme Committee cannot be exonerated from blame in this matter : they ought not to have allowed such a disgraceful production to figure in the programme of an otherwise select and attractive entertainment. The second part of the evening's performances was opened by Mr P. Smith, in what was described as an "Olio of Characters." He first impersonated the well-known Dr Carr, and completely surprised the audience by his wonderful imitation of the mesmerist's well-remembered tones. " Bub M'Gregor" the " German Professor"—his other impersonations convulsed his hearers with merriment, and left them in just the proper humour to welcome the KAWARAU NIGHTINGALES. The performance of this local amateur minstrel company was successful beyond the most sanguine expectations. The get-up of the company was faultless, and the fun never once flagged throughout. This was perhaps chieflyduetothe efforts of "Bones,"(Mr Hurley), who deserves gr .at credit fur the manner in which he "kept the ball rolling." • Mr Kelly (violin) made a very passable Johnson ; and Mr Gilchrist, as Sambo, succeeded in making himself a favourite with the audience. The singing of Mr Campbell, as well as his performance on the flute, were greatly admired ; and Messrs Barnes and Holly contributed largely to the general success. Numerous local " cons," some of them really good, were produced, and all were well received by the audience. The " nigger business" was to conclude with a farce, but through the bungling intervention of one or two outsiders, the Minstrels were unable to carry it out as arranged. We had almost omitted to mention that Mr Oolclough presided at the pianoforte throughout the first portion of the entertainment.