NAPIER GARRICK CLUB.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 14, Issue 745, 20 December 1869, Page 3

NAPIER GARRICK CLUB.

The members of the Napier Garrickj Club, assisted by two fair artistes from the "Empire City," gave a highly entertaining and successful dramatic performance at the Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday evening last. The by no means reassuring appearance of the sky notwithstanding, the attendance was very fair, the front part of the house especially being well filled. The programme comprised the comedy of "Used Up," by Charles Mathews, Esq., an interlude of singing, and the Oriental burlesque of "The Bride of Abydos." Owing, no doubt, to pressure of time., the pin-formers in the above entertainment have not received from the press the full credit of what is due to them. To institute any comparison between Mr Charles Mathews and a young Colonial performer in such a character as that of Sir Chai les Coldstream, in the comedy of "Used Up," is simply absurd ; but we may safely ventiire to assert that had the renowned comedian himself been present at the Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday night, he would, under the circumstances, have expressed the highest gratification at the success of his quasi pupil, whose profession, it would be as well to remember, is that of scenic artist, not actor. It would be invidious, as well as unusual, to criticise in detail the minor j characters of an amateur society. Notably few of the numerous an-! dience present would have cared to avow any appreciable difference in, their amateur acting from trained ( professionals. In fact, although the performance was intended to represent that of the Garrick Club, some of the principle parts were actually sustained by real theatrical artists. Witness the retaining oi the Misses

[Williams, from Wellington, and the! well-sustained characters by Messrs.! Swan and Kemp. The elaborate scenery painted at a few days'notice J by Mr Tom Kemp was the theme of universal admiration. The conclu. ding part of the programme, "The Bride of Abydos," was really worth travelling a long distance to witness. This is one of the merriest extravaganzas of the popular author, IT. J. Byron, Esq. ; and its representation excited great applause from a wellfilled house, and elicited, especially from the juvenile spectators, aloud and continuous course of mirth and laughter. We cannot conclude this notice without expressing our regretthat, owing in a great measure to the fact ihat the hall is not lined, much of the conversation that passes on the stage is lost to those who happen to be in the back seats. This defect, however, we trust will be remedied in due time. A reference to our advertising columns will shew that the same programme will be repeated this evening, when those who I attend—and we hope to see a good I house—will have an opportunity of 'judging for themselves how far the [remarks we have felt called upon to make are correct. A grand complimentary benefit to Mr Tom Kemp (which, we believe, will take place on Saturday, Ist January, 1870) is also announced.