The Dramatic Club Entertainment

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 9, 3 September 1874, Page 5

The Dramatic Club Entertainment

The fourth winter evening entertainment of the Balclutha Dramatic Club was given in Barr's Hall on Monday evening. The local drum and fife band paraded the principal streets of the town, discoursing music, with much credit to themselves and gratification to the. inhabitants, for. some time during the evening, and brought their per*, formances to a conclusion in front of the hall a little after eight o'clock. Tbat building then speedily filled up, until not a seat was vacant. We believe the attendance was the largest the , Club has yet had. This continued patronage sufficiently testifies to the popnlar nature ol these entertainments, and the favor with which the laudable exertions of the Club are hefd by the public in the district. The first piece was the farce "In Possession," which had, by request, been reproduced by the Club, it having been enacted by them at their last entertaiment* It cannot be said, however, that on this occasion any great improvement was manifest, as might naturally have been exoected. Tbe principal part was taken, as usual, by Mr G. Renner, who acted the bailiff in possession with much spirit and faithfulness, although, perhaps, in the opinion of some just a little too much was made of the borrowed tight boats. Mr J. Watmough made so good a lawyer that one might almost be tempted to hint that he has mistaken his business of life. Major Molpotberley was represented by Mr J. Hogg, who is gaining in favor, and who is gradually correcting the somewhat overimpassioned style he previously indulged in. As Mr Rattleton Rorke Mr Muir was anything but effective. He had evidently miscalculated the extent of voice required for the ball, and, in consequence, he was imperfectly heard. Besides, he lacked animation, while h-s expression and attitudes were not true to the revesses of fortune intended to be depicted. Mr Algie as Miss Piretta Platts (a lady's maid) acted his part very wtlJ. The make-up was good, aud any ODe might be excused for mistaking the lady's man, the actor, for the lady's maid, the represented. After the first part there was an interval of a lew minutes.

The interlude was a pretty extensive one, including a duet (pianoforte) by two L .dies, which was very well received ; songs by several hdies, who sung very sweetly, and with much appreciation on tbe part of the audir nee Mr Rutters sung an excellent and somewhat diffi<_..lt song, '• Hrd working men." Mr Corrigan en-' tertained the company -'muchly" with two comic songs. Mr Reunert was in good voice and pan.? a good 'song, but with indistinct pronunciation. Mr Ctamond sung '* Excelsior" in first rate style, with good fxpreasion, evfry word distinct, and every note true. Mr Clapcoft gave two readings— one sentim. ntal and one comic, and was greeted with the usual apDlause The interlude was concluded with a irio, "Hard Times," by two ladirs and Mr Cramond, and which was v«.ry sweetly and feelingly executed.

Asailor'a hornpipe by Mr Kelly next followed, and was very well executed indeed.

After an interval of ten minutes the entertainment was concluded with the farce •' Catching a Burglar," and which creat-d immense amusement. The part of Mrs Pryer, the buxom Joduinghouse keeper, was taken by Mr J. Jamie, and whether a* regards toilet, attitude, expression— or, in fact, everything—it would be difficult for that estimable lady to have found a better representative, even if she had had the selection. The part was fully and faithfully acted, but not overdone by unnatural extravagances, such as sometimes are introduced in such characters. Mr G. Renner acted the part of Job Bea», a policeman, with his u«ual ability and tact. As M'L Hector Sbakerly Funk, Mr Hogg also excelled; while Watmough made a very good Harry Cuff. In the character of Mr Butt, the commercial traveller in ihe hardware line, Mr G-rigor was evidently not quite at home. His memory was slightly defective, and stood he the threats of violence with revolvers, bludgeons, and the halter with a magnanimity which was scarcely natural to flesh and blood. Upon the whole, however, the farce passed off exceedingly well, and amply made up for all deficiencies aoparent in the carrying out of the evening's programme. With a little more attention and practice such deficiencies can e a-ily be made up, as it is evident Balclutha possesses talent quite equal to the placing upon the stage such pieces with thorough faithfulness and efficiency, and in a manner which could not fail to attract a large audience anywhere.