EVENT – Central Hall, Redcar – Entertainment Evening

Accreditation The Redcar and Saltburn-by-the-Sea Gazette 22/02/1878

 CENTRAL HALL, REDCAR – ENTERTAINMENT EVENING

            On Friday evening last (15/02), another entertainment was given in the above hall by local amateurs. The programme was varied and interesting, and the announcement having been made that the proceeds would be given to the poor Redcar and Coatham, a very large audience was attracted. The Rev. W. Milburne, vicar of Redcar, presided with his usual geniality and good humour. The opening piece was the of which you are to “Stradella,” as a pianoforte duet, most felicitously rendered by Miss M. L. and Miss M. Bennett, whose splendid execution afforded a real treat to all who can appreciate high-class music. This was followed by “The Read Cross Knight,” by Messers. Coverdale, Harrison, and Preston, after which Mr. Allatt signed “The Vagabond,” and in response to a vociferous encore gave “Heart of Oak,” which was of course enthusiastically received. The vocal duet “Sea Flowers.” was next given with much taste and feeling by Miss Forster and Miss Martin, which was all so encored. Miss Hartley, then recited with admirable taste and effect “Mary Queen of Scots,” by Henry Glassford Bell, the highest praise of which is to say that the poem was interpreted with perfect race of action. The admirers of Miss Hartley’s singing were at first, somewhat disappointed that she was only to sing once, but the result showed that this gifted lady is not less accomplished in recitation than in song; and it is no disparagement to other performers to say that this was the piece of the evening. Mr. Schwenk followed with “The Village Blacksmith,” which was loudly encored, and when he reappeared and gave a Swiss air with guitar accompaniment, he fairly brought down the house, and was obliged to come back for the third time. In the absence of Master Felix Cruse through illness, the Misses Bennett gave a duet on airs from “Lucia di Lammermoor,” which was so effective that we are surprised it did not receive the encore it deserved. Mr. Kyle next read “Sir Pertinax Macsycophant,” a scene from Macklin’s “Man of the World,” which he did so well that the audience followed and appreciated heartily every bit in that most satirical and yet most comic pasquinade. Mr. Smithers, of Middlesbrough , then delighted the audience with a concertina solo on “Welsh Airs,” accompanied by Mr. H. A. Jordison, and gave for the inevitable encore and unaccompanied solo a on “Scotch Airs,” when the the veritable strains of the bagpipes were reproduced. We hope Mr. Smithers will soon appear again. Miss Martin next gave “The Red Cross,” by Virginia Gabriel, a song, having reference to the work of a Sister of Charity in the Franco – Prussian war – we ventured to think a little too sad for the occasion. Miss Martin has a good voice, and when her natural timidity of manner is overcome, she will have power to give her songs with greater effect. Mr  Webster then recited by Byron’s description of “Waterloo,” and Miss M. L. Bennett followed with a pianoforte solo, “The Night Wind,” by Vincent Wallace. Miss Heartily sand Robert toi qui J’amie” with her accustomed power, and for an “Comin thro’ the Rye,” and Mr. Wynn recited “The Well of St. Keyne.” Mr. Allott then gave a comic song, “The unfortunate Man,” and for encore, “AJineral in the Army.” “The Tickling trio,” by Messrs. Coverdale, Harrison, and Preston, was followed by the National Anthem, in which Miss Hartley took the solo, and the evening’s proceedings were brought to a close by a vote of thanks to the performers, proposed by the Chairman. The gross receipts were £15.9s.3d, and when expenses were deducted, including the hire of a grand the law from Mr. Groenings, which cost 2 pounds, there remained a balance of £10.8s.3d., In addition to which Mr. A. O. Cochrane gave the promoters, £5 for the same object.