“OUR REGIMENT.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 836, 7 May 1910, Page 3

“OUR REGIMENT.”

THIRD PRODUCTION BY LOCAL AMATEURS. The local Amateur Dramatic Society staged their third performance in the Public Hall last night to a good and appreciative audience. The amateurs’ previous productions, “Ticket o’ Eeave Man’’ and “The Pickpocket’’ gave evidence of the fact that there was ample local talent capable of successfully re-producing and interpreting comedy or drama of a comparatively high order. East night’s production showed a marked improvement in stagecraft. The roles were sustained with greater ease and naturalness while the dressing and scenery left nothing to be desired. The prompter was practically an unknown quantity, which reflects great credit upon the stage manager, Mr Alf. Fraser. The piece, as the name suggests, is a military comedy. Mrs Dobbinsou, wife of a retired merchant, (Miss Slattery); is anxious to “ get off ” her daughter “Olive’’ (Miss Cook) and ward, “Enid Thurston” (Miss Eevett). “Mr Dobbinson’’ (Mr Fraser) has a decided aversion to military officers —or soldiers of any sort. His prejudice against two wooers of the young ladies mentioned, “Captain Featherstou,” (Mr A. McCall), and “ Lieut. Guy Warrener” (Mr F. D. Whibley) of the Bth Lancers —and displays of temper were very amusing. Mrs Dobbinsou, however, encouraged the wooing of the officers. The rivalry of the two officers for the hand of Enid Thurston created interest and amusement. Lieut. Warrener had at last to fall back upon the affections of Olive Dobbinson. “Mr Ellaby ” (Mr Gordon) seconds Mrs Dobbinson, and is also very anxious that his niece “Maud Ellaby” (Miss Hennessy) should marry a soldier. In the meantime the new curate “ Rev. John Talbot ” (Dr Adams) comes on the scene and makes such good use of his time that shortly afterwards he is discovered by Dobbinson down on his knees imploring Maud to take him. A little later Ellaby knowing Dobbinsou’s hatred for soldiers chaffs him about the way the officers are “going it” with the girls and Dobbinson flies into a temper and lets the cat out of the bag in reference to the curate and Ellaby’s niece. Ellaby who had made up his mind that his niece should marry a soldier and who has no time at all for parsons gets into a great rage and promises that the curate shall be well shaken before taken. He forthwith orders his niece notto speak to him or even ilook at him, and tells her that she has got to dance with soldiers only at the ball to be held the following night. Talbot is in a great state of mind when he hears this and in order to get out of the difficulty Fetherston persuades him to attend the ball disguised as an officer. This he does. On meeting Ellaby however, he is so dreadfully ill at ease that Warrener, in order that Ellaby should not see through the disguise tells him he is mad and the efforts of Ellaby to keep Talbot away from Maud and also not get too close to him himself created roars of laughter. Eventually however, Talbot thinking there is no one about takes off the wig and is discovered by Ellaby. However, Talbot subsequently decides, on the suggestion of Warrener, to leave the church and join the Bth Lancers. By doing this all the difficulties encountered in his love affair are overcome. Tbe two officers with the help of Mrs Dobbinson eventually overcome Dobbinson’s objections and although Fetherston is the successful suitor for Miss Thurston’s hand, Wasreuer is reconciled by the fact that she has been kept in the regiment.

Mr Fraser as the blustering and soldier-hating father put plenty of vim into his acting as did Miss Slattery who had rather a difficult role to sustain. The natural bearing and charming mannerism of Misses Devett and Hennessy were excellent. Both young ladies resisted the temptation to overdo their parts and their stage appearances were very flatteringly commented upon. Mr McCall fairly excelled hrmselt. Mr Whibley played well up to his previous reputation but he displays greater success in more dignified impersonations. However the pair were very natural “ lady killers ” as the Rev. Jonn Talbot. Dr. Adams

was in happy vein and was responsible for much of the comedy of the piece. Miss Cook sustained the minor part of Olive Dobbinson very pleasingly. Mr Gordon was most successful as “Mr Ellaby ” while as “Batters” Mr W. E. Bullard fairly excelled. The scenery was very appropriate. Everything went off without a hitch and the amateurs are to be congratulated upon having scored another local success.