THE KUMARA AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB.

Kumara Times, Issue 1544, 8 September 1881, Page 2

THE KUMARA AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB.

The second performance of the Kumara. Amateur Dramatic Club takes place to-morrow evening, and will this time be for the purchase of wardrobe, wigs, stage effects, «&c, for the club. As the pieces to be produced are characteristically choice and excellent, it may be interesting if we on this occasion give an outline of the principal one, the drama of " Belphegor." In Act 1., the Mayor is addressing the villagers when Belphegor makes his appearance, who offers to give a performance that night. Lavarrennes, the impersonator of Chevalier de Rollac, who has been murdered in America by him, and has acquired his (Rollac's) papers, recognises in Belphegor's wife the Chevalier de Rollac, daughter and niece of the Duke de Montbazon. He lets Belphegor partly into the secret. Madeline, through the illness of her child, is induced by Lavarrennes to desert her house, which .renders Belphegor broken-hearted. Act 11. discovers the Duke of Montbazon and suite. Petitpas givps a masquerade ball. Belphegor and Henri, from whom Fanfaranade has stolen all his showman's tricks, etc., enter in search of Madeline. He (Fanfaronade) meets Lavarrennes who gives up the name of the Duke de Montbazon as Madeline's protector, together with proofs, and Belphegor starts of in pursuit. Act 111. Belphegor enters disguised as the Chevalier de Rollac, and meets Madeline. The Duke tries to have him shot as Lavarrennes. The Connt de Blangy brings the real culprit to justice. Belphegor offers to leave his wife and children ; but ultimately the Duke accepts him as his granddaughter's husband. The second part of the entertainment, " Swiss Swains," shows off the eccentricities of Dame Glib, and a peasant named Swig, and is full of mirthprovoking element.