The Dramatic Performance.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 10 November 1891, Page 2

The Dramatic Performance.

Last night the Foxton Amateur Dramatic Club gave a performance at the Public Hall, in aid of the wardrobe fund. The attendance was very good, the front seats being more particularly well filled. The pieces were short and fall of fun, and were much better adapted for amateur acting.

" A Bed of Roses " illustrated the fact that a retired chicory merchant (A. Fraser), from infirmity of temper had driven his son (W.Stansell) away, and was also always getting into a rage Avith his medical attendant (J. R. McMillan) who is in love with his daughter, Violet (Miss Burr), and his valet (G. Potter). At the end of the piece, the son returns and all ends in love and marriage. Mr Fraser is to be complimented both upon his acting and his make up. No doubt the heaviest portion fell upon him, and after the longest scene he received well merited applause. Mr Potter, as the valet, had a splendid costume, and he showed a most marked improvement in his acting from his first appearance in " Snowed In." Mr McMillan, as the doctor, filled his part with care, and had some pretty dialogues with the daughter of his patient. Miss Burr, as the daughter, showed a thorough appreciation of her part, and acted in her usual pleasin^manner. Miss Prendergast made her first appearance, at any >rate on a Foxton stage, and the little she had to do, showed that she would deserve casting for some heavier portions on a future occasion. The son (Mr W. Stansell, is also it novice, but he acquitted himself very walte The BeenersP(leserves n, word of praise. It #as a very pretty view ot a, river in the foreground, backed by hills, and the boat incident made a bit of realism which was worth the trouble. Mr Fred Young was the artist.

The musical interlude brought Mr T. Ennis for the second time before the public. His singing of " The Romany Lass " created a most voeiferons demand for an encore, to which he replied by giving the " Dear little Bhamrocky' for which also he received loud applause. Miss Williams sang" Ora Pro Jsobis " in splendid style, and in response to the certain encore gave " Then you'll remember me." For this she also was well applauded. Miss Syinons sang " After undown,"' and in response to the applause repeated a verse. Mr Russell disappointed the audience by not appearing.

" Borrowed Plumes " concluded the evening's entertainment. This had a deal of fun, the heaviest part falling upon Mr Fred Young. It may seem ungracious, after the efforts he put forth to amuse, to suggest he rather overdid his part, and that the assumed voice was a mistake, but we fancy that was the general opinion. This is merely a criticism which he will take in good part, as he made the audience laugh heartily. Mr McMillan helped the piece by his coaching of Dick Mizzle (Fred Young) and assisted to accentuate the points. Miss Clai*a Burr made her first appearance, and \ showed by her acting that the Club is rich in ladies. Miss Hester Burr again showed her appreciation of the part she undertook. Mr Fraser represented again another old man, but he had not much to do, but made the most of each occasion. We congiatulate the Club upon the success of their efforts, and we mark the great improvement that practise has made in their acting and their general get up. Still there were a few of the performers whom it would have been better had their appearance been more disguised, as it withdraws the interest from a piece when the well known faces and figures of every day acquaintances appear upon the stage. Mr Keun played a cornet solo as an overture. Mr McKenzie at short notice kindly supplied a piano solo, and Miss Harley accompanied Mr Ennis ' and Miss Williams, Miss L. Symons playing her sister's accompaniments.