Tuesday's Entertainment.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue III, 2 October 1890, Page 2

Tuesday's Entertainment.

The lirst performance by the memberu of thr Foxton Amateur Dramatic and Minstrel Club was given on Tuesday at the Public hall, before a very large and appreciative audience. Mrs Palmer played with much taste and care the " Sultan" Grand March " as the opening overture. first item on the programme wai the eom^ietta in one act entitled " Poor Pillicoddy." The plot Oi the piece was as followsFiffiwaay. seea Bii:«h8 ii:« h » d » few "»«»&•■ previous to 1 ffc* tint* prt,V ented ' marned a vonng widow oi A **-for>C man name 5 O'Scuttle, who had niti, iff m supposed ttf haya met with an eajfy ieiltn .^ drdwh'ing/ PillicofMy (Mr A. Fraaer) «W l spooney on hi* sweet wife, Anasfasift" Pillicoddy (Mrs Coo'J:) is continually haunted with the dread that some day the rWhsppy and. drowned O'Scuttle will return and claiirt his wife. Mrs 'Pillicoddy has amongst her scquaifltsec'es a lively and hastily jealous young lady, (Jii-8 Stengel!) who is married fo a captain d'Sdttttle (Mr Enderby) but who, prior to the landing of bet husband from a voyage, had run away to Visit bet, ham some suspicious oir«uni6tance mentioned in the postscript of a letter she had no business to read, The fun of the piece arises from the mistakes that arise between all parties who meet at poor Pillicoddy's fihop. The part that Sarah* Blunt (Mrs Curtis) plays in connecting the piece together is most important, her suggestions, advice, anJ supicions all pointing well. The acting of the ladies created a mo9t favourable impression, and it is a pleasure that there are amongst us those who can and will aid in such legitUnate amuiement. Mrs Curtis acted most naturally and pleasantly and had a distinct appreciation of all the telling points, which were emphasized by action as well as intonation. Mrs Cook played her part as the affectionate and coaxing wife of a doting and foolish husband quietly but truly. Thene two ladies have had the advantage of having faced other audiences. Miss Stansell made her debut in the character of Mrs O'Scuttle, and charmed her hearers by the clear utterance of the words and by the pleasing and womanly way of asserting her right to act impulsively and wrongly. Mr Fraser's rendering of the part of the silly and nervous Pillicoddy would have been more satisfactory had it been less stagey, but we do not wi6h to withold from him the credit of sustaining a long and arduous part, without flagging and without a mistake. Mr Enderby turned out not to be the terrible " Barna le " poor Pillicoddy dreaded, but only a near relation, and he took the part of a gallant seaman very well for a first appearance This company is bound to draw a good attend, ance when they have another piece to present. The performers from time to time were greeted with applause, and at the conclusion were called before the curtain bjr the delighted audience. : The stage manager is to be congratulated i on the arrangement of the stage, and the ] costumier on the dresses and make up's ! provided. The play ran well from start to rinish and thus offers a striking contrast to too many amateur first nights. The mimstrels followed and gave an hour's genuine pleasure. The songs and chorouses were all well sung. Mr Hinchliffe presided at the piano, Mr MeMillan acted as the Mr Jonson, and Mr Young was Tambo, and Mr Collins, Bones. The opening chorus was very well rendered by the company, when Bones aang " Your'e Another " which being oomic, tickled the pit. Mr Wearing gave " Amber Tresses tied in Blue," which was well received. Mr Stansell's "Bob up .Serenely " had some local topics in it, and secured, great applause. Mr Lever's " Sitting in the Twilight " wa-* one of the gems of the evening, and a vociferous demand for an encore had to be re- ponded to. This gentleman has a very sweet voice and sings with great feeling and taste. Tambo's " Near it " was comic, and popular, and had to be repeated. Mr Little, a gentleman new to a I'oxton audience gave " Dreaming of home and Mother" very nicely and would have received the compliment of an encore had not the energetic Tambo repressed it, under the impression that there was another verse to follow. Bones's " Baby Show " pleased his hearers, and gave room for some little bye play on the 7art of one of the performers, personally alluded to the song. Mr Levers followed with " White wings," and narrowly escaped another encore. Tambo finished the programme with " TJncle Jefitrsen," which was repeated. i Mr Jonsou did ,Jris part well, asking questions and despairing of guesses as well as anyone, and Bones and Tambo introduced some side business. Tambo, however, clearly " knocked spots '' out of his fellow corner man, who required a deal more life and energy. The jokes that gained applause .des|rved it from the respect due to their- antiquity, the new one? required too much consideration to permit of (their being " caught on '" in time to laugh. The finale waß a splendidly confused medley of nigger farce?, but excited the amusement of the youngsters, and we suppose they deserve their chare of the evening's entertainment. Mr Levers acted the part of •' chucker out " in splendid form, and his attire was " immense.'' Mr Short got off a verse or two of a local song before the sign for his disappearance " down below" was given. Mr Woodham, a veritable Irishman, wts a well got up representation, but his efforts in the musical line on a penny whistle were mercifully cut short by the manager's (Mr McMillan) lifting of his dexter thumb. Th s concluded a very creditable evening's entertainment, and the Club are to he congratulated on the result of their efforts. The amount taken at the floor in cash \va^ close on £8 and the value of tickets sold amounted to£ ,to that there should be a good balance for the benefit nf the Bowinp Club.