DICKENS REVIVAL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1561, 3 October 1912, Page 8

DICKENS REVIVAL.

PESTIVAji- AT.', THE'. .TOWN HALL.

Every sj.it in the main Town Hall was occupied last evening lor the Dickens Costume Festival, which was produced under the direction of Mr,,. Montague, of Auckland, before an appreciative audience. The idea is an excellent one, and might well be extended to other authors on future occasion?, for there is no gainsaying the educative value of such entertainments. The costumes, of a period, manners and customs of tho people, the idioms of the time, if faithfully reproduced, cannot fail to present an informative and entertaining study, and at the same time increase one's respect for the author whose inspiration has immortalised the characteristics and idiosyncracies of an earlier' day. '

Mr. Montague and his clever friends are to l>3 congratulated-upon the quality of the items ■• on their programme-, but one, cannot say as' much for the policy of lite promoters (or the methods ..of their .administrators), in attempting - a programme of such , extraordinary length that the first part— which contained 14 items—was not over till 10.15 p.m., and it was almost 10.30 p.m. before the second part—Bardell' and Pickwick—was commenced. This meant that a large number of people had to leave for home at the interval, which was rather a pity, as miost, of the audience would have preferred to hear tho final "Scene" and slapped some of tho items in the first part. Not the least interesting phaso of the entertainment was tho costumes worn by the various performers—the tight shrunk , looking breeches, white slocking*. . fancy-coloured waistcoats, queer-lotgiin? hood-brimmed hats (mostly in grey and fawn), of tho early \ ictorian era. In'the individual studies some of the performers attained a very high level indeed. None were, so to say, poor, and all were enjoyable. One of tho best studies was Mr. Fraser Thomson's characterisation of "The Friendly Waiter," in "David Copperfield." Hi's make-up was a work of art, and his gestures in necord with the spirit of tho incident. Altogether his performance inspired in the spectator a sense of satisfaction. In this study Miss Joy Hartley, a young girl, • appeared in tho role of tho shrinking and timid little David Copperfield who was then on his way to school. Mr.-Thomsou was not so good in his study of "Sam Welter"—his voico anil figure were- not of the M'eller type, Another totally good effort was Mr. J. Culford Bell's study of "Fagin's Last Night," from Oliver Twist, for which ho was twice recalled to bow his acknowledgments. Mr. Alan M'Eiu-ain was excellent in his study of. tho famous "Mrs. bairey Gamp" of Martin Chuzzlowit. Miss Zoe Barfley, in "Ruth Pinch Making a Beefsteak Pudding" (from Martin Chuzzlewit), showed 'evidence of a careful study of tho character, and was quite enjoyable. Amongst the best must rank Miss Betty-Purdom's artistic charao. tor study of "Dolly Yartleu" (Barnahy Kudge), her make-up, address, and voico being excellent all through. "Dick Swiyeller and tho Marchioness" (The Old Curiosity Shop), by Mr.. H. V. Roberts and Miss Lily Aldridgo, was another enjoyable item, both artists presenting a finished study. Mr. Montague's "Mr. Bumble," in tho Courtship Scene, witli "Mrs. Crawler" (Oliver Twist), tho part of the buxom widow being (aken by Mrs. Forsyth (neo Miss Lun. Watson), was (jood, ;is also was Mrs. Forsyth's, and tho scene as presented was a most laughable one. Other items included a fairly good study of "Mr. Sqnecrs" (Nicholas Xickleby), by Mr. Bell, an entertaining impression of Mr. Micawbor, by Mr. Montague, Sydney Carton's Farewell (by Mr. S. Tingey), Miss Aldridge's recitation-' of Bret ILirte's "Dickens in Cninp," ond two songs—"Bid Me Discourse" (Bishop), and "Invitation" (Katharine Barry), by Miss Rita Lyons. The entertainment, as already indicated, concluded with the final scene "Bardell v. Pickwick," in which Mr. Dave Kenny, with his inimitable itiake>up and general imprcssement, scored heavily in (lie character of Mr. Pickwick. Mr. Montague gave a capital study of Sorgeant iiuzfuz, while Mrs. Forsyte's "Mrs. Cluppins" was a fine character study. Mr. Alan M'Elwain made a genial and characteristic Sam Weller. mid Mr. C. I?.- Russell did'the stnmmoring Mr. 'Winkle to everybody's satisfaction.