Concert and Dramatic Entertainment.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 420, 22 February 1890, Page 2

Concert and Dramatic Entertainment.

On Thursday night the Gisborne Fire Brigade representative team were accorded a hearty support by the public, |a concert and dramatic entertainment by amateurs being given in the City Rink, to help to defray the expenses of the team to Wellington. Prior to the entertainment there was a torchlight procession and display of fireworks, the Garrison Band (which includes many of the firemen) playing selections of music. The engine and hose reel were nicely decorated, and an illuminated balloon was sent up, soaring above in grand style. There was a large attendance at the City Rink, and both portions of the entertainment passed efl so well that there was almost uuintermitteut applause. The stage presented a tasteful drawing room scene. The gallery of the Rink was crowded, and many lively sparks among that crowd were far from noiseless, but though they took care that they did not remain unheard there was nothing objeotionable in their fun. The demonstrations were all made in the best of humor, and whatever was good was heartily appreciated. As everything happened to be good the performers got encouraged all through. A very appropriate overture was given, five members of the Brigade perform, ing on t-rass instruments, the players being Messrs Fararn, Morrison, Ormond, Perston, and Mitchell. The selection highly pleased the audience, and then Mr W. Parnell, who does not often favor us with his appearance on the platform, sang the fine old song, ‘ Rooked in the cradle of the deep,’ to which be gave much expression. But he was heard to better advantage in the rollicking song ’ For the wind may blow,’ which he gave in response to an encore. The beautiful ' Ring on. Sweet Angelos,’ a selection difficult to render but exquisite when successfully given, was chosen by Mrs Hennessy. Though beginning with a slight touch of nervousness Mrs Hennessy then sang in an unsurpassable manner. As an encore she vc tbe * Maid of the Mill, which was sung very sweetly. The Rev. Father Kehoe, on appearing, l-eopived quite an ovation, and the audience were we)l repaid for tbe compliment when they heard 'The Harp that once,’ sung as the Rev. Father can sing it, On his being recalled he touched the hearts of Sootohmen by treating the audience with a Scotch song. The fresh sweet voice of Miss Adair made her as popular as ever, her selection being • If all those endearing young chartns.’ In response to an enthusiastic encore she sang a portion of the 'did Folks at home,’ which was appreciated with equal warmth. Mr Woodward has always something jolly to give, and a rattling hunting song was given in his best style, and almost as a matter of course he bad to make a response. Miss Schultz song 'lt wee a dream,’ with a passionate expression and purity of tone which did full justice to thehjglj reputation this young lady had already earned fhe Minstrel Boy and the Shannon Bells were tho fine songs with which the Rev. Father Kehoe favored the audience, prior to the conclusion of the first part of the programme, and both were very heartily applauded. Mt Airey played most; ot the overtures, Mrs Sunderland and tl»e Rev, Father Rehoe also playing some. The performsuee of 1 His Excellency ’ wgs pqrhaps the most eucaanfal dramatic effort that hoe yet been mads in the district by amateurs. Tuosa who saw the same piece played at Patutahi, by the same performers, were warm in their praise, but successful as it undoubtedly was on that occasion, Thursday night’s performance was much mon qucco»sf}il. Theodore was rather weak, but when aha other paßs were filled eO well any weakness on fii? part would be much more readily noticed, the judgment being formed from a very high standard. Few profaajionals could have taken the part of Isabella better than it was performed by Mias Adair. At first indeed the effect might have been tetter, as neither, tbs Count (Mr Dalrymple) nor hie daughter Isabella appeared to have judged as io what pitch to raise their voices, and Ihs (sonsequouos was that while they were ddihg

excellently in ottwr respects they could not be distinctly heard at the back. Bat that was only for the first couple of minutes, and then every word was dearly enunciated and a capital impression was at once made. The haughty Count, distracted by his friend’s troubles, was portrayed with much ease and apparent reality by Mr Dalrymple, while Mr Mann, aa the scamp Larose, was very de ver, and acted the deceit with great skill. His bland effrontery, tone of voice, and action were all favorable to a full conception of the part, which wa« faultlessly sustained. As the ambitious shopgirl Teresina. who pined to get to Paris, Mrs Sunderland was full of life, and the ludicrous pathos ot her ' I do love Theodore!' proved irresistible to the audience, who were convulsed with laughter. There was no fear of the bottom dropping out of the play while Mrs Sunderland had to do with it, for Teresina was the humorous star in the piece, Larose always being np to the mark. Isabella (Miss Adair) of course bad at times to do a little simpering gush, but her real power was shown with much force in the more refined passages, to which Miss Adair imparted a coloring which produced an impression on the mind, very different from the evanescent effect which might be made by one who had not studied the author’s idea, Mr Gillmore took the part of Theodore and Mr Fred. Lysnar that of the servant, All through the performance applause was liberally given as tbe opportunities occurred in which it could be bestowed without interfering with tbe performers.