PROPOSED KUMARA DRAMATIC CLUB.

Kumara Times, Issue 1499, 18 July 1881, Page 2

PROPOSED KUMARA DRAMATIC CLUB.

By a notice which appears elsewhere the lady and gentlemen amateurs of this locality who have a liking for the drama are requested to meet to discuss the practical>ility of forming a Dramatic Club. That there is talent sufficient in this community to effect that object very few will deny; we have had ample proofs in the numerous entertainments which have at various times been got up in ibis town by purely local geniuses that a goodly proportion of our population are endowed with gifts and qualifications of taking part in almost any drama that might be put before them, if, of course, there were unity of purpose and freedom from those lower attributes of petty jealousy and envy which too often creep in whilst

in the bourse of practice or, it may be, during the actual presentation of the piece on the stage. It must be admitted also that there has been manifested a vast amount of room for improvement in most of the parts undertaken on these occasions. An eminent author (Steele), speaking of the perfection required in acting, remarked—“ Though a pleader or preacher is hoarse or awkward, the weight of their matter commands respect and attention ; but in theatrical speaking, if the performer is not exactly proper and graceful, he is utterly ridiculous. In cases where there is little expected but the pleasure of the ears and eyes, the least diminution of that pleasuie is the highest offence. In acting, barely to perform the part is not commendable; but to be the least out is contemptible.” As well might we ask a man to come in to-day and give us a hand to set up the types for the day’s issue who has never seen a printing press or machine, or ask the child who has never taken a needle in her hand to make a dress for her mother, as to expect that any great achievement may be made in dramatic representation except by a persistent and careful study of the part allotted to the individual performer, and to a proper cultivation of the art. We are sure that the promoters of the meeting to-night have no other object in view than to see a really good and efficient club brought into existence and nurtured out of the dormant talent which is in our midst. And it will be seen that the present occasion offers great advantages on account of the probable stay in Kuraara of one of the late members of the Comedy Company, which had so successful a tour on this coast. The meeting will be held at King’s Adelphi Hotel, at 8 o'clock* and those persons who are desirous of joining bat cannot attend are requested to send in their names and addresses.