ROB ROY MACGREGOR.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1467, 27 January 1887, Page 2

ROB ROY MACGREGOR.

The first performauco of the well-known ? oottieh drama, entitled as above, was <iven last night m the Oddfellows' Hall, before a capital house. Tho piece was va y creditab'y mounted on the stage, \nd the scenery fully justified the call before the curtain that Mr Wiaby received. Of tie acting, we can boneßtly say ibnt, f «ken all maud, it would not have disgraced professionals. Moat people expected to Bae an amateur performance, md of course they did see one, but it was a first-class one, all the char act era being ve-v creditably filled. Slight hitohes, incidental to every first performance of such an ambitiou3 nature, were noticeable, but on the whole the members of the Caledonian Society oan say that their efforts to present " Rob Roy " properly were Bncoeeßfal. Durirg t^e progress of the piece several songs, duets, and danoes were given, Me Brooks accompanying. A duet by Miss <3ates and Mr Orawehaw was very well received, aod the reel also gave satisfaction, although it was slightly marred by one of the. dancers forgetting his position. Mr E. Dimant, m the title role, played with vigor, and was frequently rewarded with hearty outbursts of app'ause. Mr John Sim had most to do as Bailie Nicol Jarvie, and his representation of the part was mo»t amusing, although uma conscience" might have been less overdone. Mr E. E. .Fooks (Sir Frederick Vernon) made a courtly knight, and his daughter (MissGhtes) looked Diana to the letter. Miss Gates was also successful m her singine, particularly m the duats with Francis Osbaldistone. The last-named character was t iken by Mr Crawshaw very fairly, but a little more life thrown into it would have been an improvement Mr I. Salek took the dual part of Owen and Captain Thornton, m noth of which he was successful. Dougal was oapitally taken by Mr J. McGill, who deserved a more important part. His acting was very natural, and we hope to see tho gentleman named appear on future occasions m characters which will give more scope for his ability. Mr T Potter took the unenviable part o£ Kashleigh Osbaldistone, and succeeded m giving a really creditab'e conception. Mr J H. Pairing made a warlike Major (ialbraith, and Mjbs McDonald made tho most of Mattie. Mrs Gordon Hodge was, of course, assigned the principal female part as Bob's ,vife, and it is needless to say that this lady gave a firstclass representation of the character. An old favorite m Ashburton, Mrs Hodge was well received by her audience, and frequently appUude I The minor parts were taken by Messrs 0. Reid, Lyons, 0.. Muir, W. Brown, T. Hayes, J. Leftab\ Miss A, Gatds, and Ma<stets J. R. Sim* J. MoEae, and R. MoUae, The part oft the hostess was well filled by Aire Mmhire. The piece went effarveaeingly from beginning to end, the voica of the prompter never being required ; tte Fo9nery was good, <mi tho costumes reflated oredit on those who hid their make-up to attend t>. We o»n confidently recommend Rob Roy, as played under the auspices of the Caledonian. Society, to ouc readbrs as well worth seeing, and we hope to-night that a orowded house will rep%y some of the very large expenditure involved m the production of a play of such magnitude.

The following prologue was delivered by Mr Sim, previous to the rising of the. cut tain :—■

Dear friends we come this night with anxious hearts To make our bow, and then to play our parts ; We know full well that those who would aspire To tread tho stage, or touch the tragio lyre, Must to their audience delight afford, And neatly suit the action to the word.

But here your humble servants must oonfeßft That we no actor's powerful gifts possess * We only come to try to do our be3t,

And then to your indulgence leave the rest. And though our efforts may not chance to be So great or grand as we would like to see, We fondly trust that we can all depend That you to us your favours will extend ;

While wo our best endeavours will employ To act the drama of the bold Rob Roy. Stern Rob, the outlaw ; yet hia generous breast The warmest feelings to his friends posaes't, As far away, on Scotland's mountains wild» His might was right, his sway was uncontrolled. Stern, uncompromising, desperate to a foe, Yet to the poor with kindness all aglow. And yet the bravest actions of his life

Were oft excelled by Helen, his dear wife, Who always kept her post amid the strife, And placed m jeopardy a Bailie's life. The Bailie 1 honest man ! though sore afraid, You'll find ere we have done preserved his head, And c'en survived the shock upon the thorn. Whereby the tail of his best coat was torn. What shall we Bay of Rashleigh ? traitor viley Who could his friends so ruthlessly beguile,. We wish that every rogue like him oould meet Rob Roy's sword to punish his deceit. But friends, I'm sure 1 need not here detail Each character or scene, you know them well, Have known thorn long, for who I ask is not Acquainted with the tales of Walter Soott. Enough that we, with willing, ohcr'-il bear's Endeavour to perform our different parts With credit to ourselves, and give yon cause At intervals to cheer us with applause.