The Hunterville Amateurs.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 283, 5 June 1897, Page 2

The Hunterville Amateurs.

An entertainment, consisting of two farces was given in the Feilding Assembly Rooms last evening by the Hunterville amateurs in aid of the sufferers by the late flood in the Rangi> tikei river." There was a large audience, who wero delighted with the performance, a continuous ripple of merriment boius kept up throughout. The programme was opened with the selection " Semiramido " by a strong orchestra under the leadership of Mr R. F. Haybittle, who also opened the second part with the selection " Caliph of Bagdad," both be ; ng very nicely rendered, particularly the latter. Before the first farce was staged Mrs James Rang '• When Sparrow's Build," her rendition being greatly admired ; Mr A. Eadeaaug " Old Englaud and the New " very nicely; while Mrs Pickering displayed a very pleasant and cul'ered voice in >iiiniug " The Toilers." Both Mrs James and Mrs Pickering aro conjparatively new comers to the district and are , undoubtedly aquisitions to the musical talent of Feilding. Owing to one of the ' , Hunterville performers, Mr A. James, being unable to secure the necessary , leave to enable him to come to Feilding i a vacaDcy was caused in the farce . " Diamond cut Diamond," which it was intended to stage as the first part of the programme. This was therefore made • the second part and Mr T. B. Insoll ' courageously undertook to take tbe , character which had been allotted to Mr , James in addition to bis own part, and , he got tbrongb remarkably well for one I who bad only received such a short notice. The farce "My Wife's Maid," is of an amusing character requiring a certain amount of dramatic skill on tut part of the performers, and the necessary qualifications were certainly pos- | s: ssed by those taking part last evening. Tbe plot is one in which " Mrs Whiffleton," a designing match-maker endeavors to make a match between her daughter " Lucinda " and the romantic and poetical young " Mr Lysimachus Tootles," but who is really in' love with " Barbara ' Perkins," a maid servant of high aspirations who has a firm belief in destiny. The two latter indulge in love making on ' tbe quiet, making each other believe, by false pretences, that they are persons of , high rank, whereas "Mr Tootles, junr.," ' is in reality a junior clerk and "Rar- ' bara "is a seryant girl. They eventually discover their trne positions and after a stormy scene there i» a general explanation. " Captain Cracktborpe Cruncher," whose wife employs " Barbara," is a leading character, and after suspecting bis wife of infidelity with ' "Mr Tootles, junr.," discovers ro bis great joy that the error occurred through * " Barbara " wearing her mistress' cloth ' ing occasionally without permission. ' "Mr Tootles, senr.," is an individual of ' a rather rocuantio character who tenders 3 paternal advice occasionally to bis more ' romantic son, who has been brought up with a " love of tobacco, and a horror of ' work." " Master Sprouts " is a page and has bat little to do. Mr J. H. N orris took the part of " Mr Lysimachus ! Tootles" and was responsible for a con siderable amount of merriment being, as 1 he remarked, "panting with poetry, 9 romance and gush unspeakable." Mr P. C. Smith represented "Mr Tootle 3, ' senr," his acting being very good and ' natural. Mr T. B. Insoll, as " Captain 1 Crackthorpe Cruncher," was frequently 1 on the stage and adapted himself to the natnre of the character with freedom. He, also, spoke clearly and distinctly. 1 Mrs G Valder, as " Mrs Whiffleton," ' successfully interpreted the character, while Miss McGoaagle, as " Lucinda," - waa charming and her acting was free. As " Barbara Perkins," Mrs Insoll was certainly a success, her versatility being ' a prominent feature of her acting. ' Master Jack Valder took the part of " Master Sprouts." In tbe second part 1 " Diamond cut Diamond," tbe company ' wore unfortunate in losing the services as already stated,|of one of their mem bers, which had a slight effect on its 1 success. The Mayor, Mr W. A L. Bailey, apologised on behalf of tbe company and asked for the indulgence of the audience- This was readily granted. However, there was no serious defect in the piece. This is intended for more of a sensational farce than the previous one, the principal characters being 1 Captains " Seymour " (Mr J. H. Morris) and " Howard " (Mr J Bull), rival lovers who scheme against each other for tbe possession of " Charlotte Doubtful " (Miss McGonagle), A duol is fought between the two lovers and " Captain Seymour " pretends to be mortally wounded, but as soon as his opponent in love makes a basty retreat to escape vengeance be jumps on bis feet and claims " Charlotte," who consents to marry " Captain Seymour " as she believes he is " the only man who ever died for love." Mr Insoll represented the character of " Mr Heartley," tbe guardian of "Charlotte." As stated, he also took the part of " Trap," orderly to " Captain Seymour," and be is deserving of every credit for the successful manner in which be quickly adapted himself to the part. Mr P. C. Smith acted as " Trick," orderly to " Captain Howard." Tbe orderlies are frequently on the stage and assisted their masters in tbe deceit of " Diamond cnt Diamond," winding up by having a " spree " as " tho' to tbe macor born." Mr Pawson took tbe part of " Trap " in the spree. The entertainment was undoubtedly a success and the amateurs are to be congratulated on the result of their efforts, which will add an acceptable sum to tbe relief fuud and is sure to be appreciated by those amongst whom the fund will bo distributed.