THE GAIETY COMPANY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 442, 27 September 1877, Page 2

THE GAIETY COMPANY.

There was a good attendance at the Masonic Hall last night, when another of Byron's charming comedies, "Our Dad," was produced for the first time in Oamaru by Mr. Hall's compact little company. " Our Dad" differs considerably from "Our Girls" and "Our Boys," but may claim equal merit with both thoso pieces. Like all Byron's comedies, the plot of " Our Dad " is a very simple one, but, slender as the thread of the story is, the author has succeeded in constructing thereon a very pleasing little piece, full of smart sayings and beautiful sentiment. In some particulars " Our Dad " is superior to either "Our Boys" or "Our Girls." There are more striking situations, more little points calculated to arouse the enthusiasm of the audience: but in other respects it is not equal to those comedies, more especially in regard to the equal balancing of the characters in the comedy. " Our Dad" partakes more of the nature of a two-character piece than the other two comedies named ; for, although every part in it is imbued with a certain amount of interest and afford some scope for the display of talent mi the part of their impersonators, Samuel Tottles and his son are the chief centres of attraction and occupy by far the largest share of the attention of the audience. There is a very strong resemblance between Samuel Tottles in "Our Dad' v and Perkyn Middlewiek in " Our Boys," but there all similarity ends. Mr. Hall", as the illiterate, hot-headed, but arted Tottles pvrc. was simply grand. The rapid changes in the character of the eccentric retired old refreshment man were -nven with the utmost nicety. The frequent transitions "from grave to gay, from lively to severe," were effected with a facility and thorough appreciation of the character which marked the finished actor. Much as we dis like to see a male character in legitimate comedy impersonated by a lady, that dislike was greatly lessened last night by the admirable manner in which Mrs. Hall performed the part of Horace Tottles. Had Nature but made Mrs. Hall a man, what a capital, dashing little Tottles she would have been ! We should, however, have preferred seeing the character pourtrayed by a male ; but then there would have been no opportunity in the comedy for the display of Mrs. Hall's undoubted talents, while there is not an actor in the company who we should care to see play the part of Horace Tottles. Mr. Oily Deering gave a careful rendering of the character of Cobham Brown, while Mr. Herbert scored a success as Joe Bungs, the ignorant waiter with a strong penchant for stimulating beverages. The remaining characters found suitable representatives in the Misses Wiseman, Ashton, Wilton, Amy Johns and Alice Johns, and Messrs. O'Brien, Love, and Wilkinson, 'Jhe farce of "A Kiss in the Dark" concluded a very enjoyable evening's amusement. "Our Dad" will be presented again this evening for the last time, and to-morrow evening " Pap Van Winkle" will constitute the chief attraction, Mr. Hall appearing as Kip—one of his greatest impersonations.