AMATEUR DRAMATIC ENTERTAIN.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1004, 15 July 1881, Page 2

AMATEUR DRAMATIC ENTERTAIN.

ME vT AT ALEXANDRA.

This entertainment was advertised to be given some four weeks since, but in consequence of tile serious indisposition of one of the caste it hud to be postponed till the 13th inst., Wednesday evening last, and we think we are not wrong in saying the delay after all was not to be regretted (except, perhaps, on the score of the discomfort caused to the amateur lady— who was the victim ?) as the whole affair was a most decided success, every part going as smoothly as if manipulated by the bands of p.ofeashmals instead of amateurs Tue large Town Hall was fairly crammed : and judging by the earnest at entiou given, ami the frequent plaudits, the audience thorougnly enjoyed themselves. The Hist piece produced was, *• Only a new Chum, or the Speculator sold,” a farce from the pen of Mr Charles Whelan, formerly Postmaster at Alexandra, at piesent stationed at Tapanui, As an amateur production it is highly creditable, and we may expect future efforts will further improve.

The caste was— VI r Brent, the new chum Fred Stuflington ; Mr Aldred, the apecuUtor Mr Junks; Mr Forrest, the wideawake fa her Mr Swipes, whose marriageable daughter Harriet (an “ amateur lady ” Mr Cotter) he at first wants to marry Mr Junks when that worthy is well in, but after he is sold by the new chum over a mining share trahsaotion, he transfers his attentions and also his daughter over to the new chum, who, however, all along is Harriet’s real lover. It would be unfair to criticise too closely either the piece or the acting as both author and actors are amateurs, and it would be invidious to particularize any one ; each did hii best, and we can safely say succeeded in satisfying their not too critical audience. The next piece was, “ An ample apology,” so well and favorably known that no apology is wanting from us. Mr Forrest represented Mr Crushington Clasper the jealous husband ; Mr Cotter, as Mr Snoofcington Spooner the lover of Mis 0. C. ; Mr Brent, as Mr Millington Mawley the medical student, and M r Aldred as Mrs Washer ; the interest of the piece was maintained throughout, and on the fall of the curtain, received a well-merited burst of applause. After an interval, the curtain rose to the last piece on the programme,‘Handy Andy’, but in such a guise as wo think bis own venerable mother would not have recognised him. The characters were Mr Aldred, a respectable aged darkey in a bright colored dressing gown; and Mr Cotter as a youthful bit of black blood in a gaudy chintz long-tailed coat, with large buttons and regulation negro paper-collars. On the fall of the curtain, the room was cleared for a dance, the Alexandra brass band providing the music, and which we are informed was kept up till between 3 and 4 o’clock nex' morning.

The entertainment cm most truthfully be termed a success, especially financially, as the gross procee Is were somewhat about L 25, the which is to bo devoted to the fencing in of the Alexandra recreation ground.