ENTERTAINMENT.

Kaikoura Star, 20 March 1903, Page 5

ENTERTAINMENT.

The production of the farcical comedy entitled “Jane,” in the Drillhall, on Tuesday and Wednesday was an unqualified success. Generally speaking, it was faraway the best amateur performance we have attended in a country district and decidedly better than some that we have seen in large towns. The acting, the dressing, and the staging and mounting redounded to the credit of all concerned in the presentation of the piece.. An immense amount of work devolved upon Mr A. G. Campbell, as stage manager, who carried out his duties thoroughly. The installation of acetylene gas for the illumination of the stage and the employment of electric bells for call and other purposes testified to the completeness of the staging and the zeal and energy he put into the work. Nothing that it was reasonably possible for him to accomplish was forgotten or omitted by him. This contributed immeasurably to the success of the comedy-, as the excellence of the stage management had an inspiriting effect upon the impersonators of the various characters. All who took part in the play appeared to do so with much zest, and each one, individually, contributed more or less to the praiseworthy manner in which it was “ put on the boards.” In the title role Mrs Barton was not only as near perfection as an amateur can be expected, but we engage that there are many “ pros ” who would not do as well in the character as she did. The mercurial nature of it found able exposition in her hands. Indeed she left nothing to be desired at any time, so fully did she sustain the author’s creation. A more engaging “Jane” could not be imagined, far less pourtrayed. Iler efforts won general admiration. Miss Kitty Absolum had an exceedingly difficult task allotted her in being cast for the part of “Mrs Chadwick.” For one so young practically experienced on the stage she did remarkably- well. “ Character ” parts U ke this require careful study aiid histrionic ability Lu iigliLly ifit/ei picL .yu. Ca vga l both, even, there is ample room for disagreement without any captiousness—.as to “reading” and make up. To our mind the young amateur did famously, particularly in the glowing rhapsodies of the romantically amorous widow. Miss Way-land acquitted herself admirably as “ Lucy Norton,” in which part she made her first appearance. Ladylike and natural in deportment, she spoke her lines very pleasingly, the sympathetic, confiding and generous side of the artless girl being well depicted, while dignity- was never lost sight of. The part of “Mrs Hixton” was given to Mr. Fk. Smith, who was grotesquely- got up. He was very- amusing. Mr P. Eccleton succeeded beyond our anticipations in his representation of “ Charley Shackleton,” quite eclipsing any- of his previous appearances here. He was quite at home in the part, which he invested with interest throughout. His vivacity was rarely dimmed by the perplexities which ever dogged his heels, the “ ben trovato ” excuses advanced by him being expressed in a “ cool as a cucumber” air, to the intense amusement of the audience. Mr Tom Hitchcock has never been seen to better advantage than in the character of “William Tipson.” He seemed cut out for the part, and quite excelled himself. His plasticity in the hands of the clever “Jane,” the agony of his position when he finds what is involved in his wife masquerading as that of his mistress, the misery it occasions him, culminating in a baby not his being foisted Upon him, served to show his versatility. The “business” of the dinner scene was capital. It will be a long time before Mr Tom Hitchcock adds a brighter feather to his Thespian -plume. He provoked much laughter. Mr John Peoples scored a hit as “Mr Kershaw,” the impersonation of which character was a very happy conception. He played up to the leaders very well indeed. As “ Claude,” the page, Master Lionel Hughes was very much to the manner born. “Young Buttons” amused the audience very much. The “lion-lamb” Hixton was satisfactorily represented bv

Heddles. The simmer .of merriment in which the audience were lit I t from start to finish was hr; yen by- .occasional roars of luu; liter over some particularly hm-.oro.ts speech or ludicrous situni.i in. The three end-act “ pictmU” were heartily applauded. In s. nne respects the second presen I. tion of “Jane” was better thn i the first. The proceeds of th.- entertainment amounted to about £27. A particularly pleasing fee tore of the dramatic production wh the highly efficient manner in gt! -h Mrs West and Messrs Washii. *<>n and Sutherland acted as “ j>chestra.” Their selections were 'if theme of general admiration.