UNCLE TOM'S CABIN.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 875, 4 February 1879, Page 2

UNCLE TOM'S CABIN.

One of the largest audiences that has been seen in Oamaru for some time assembled at the Volunteer Hall last evening to witness the representation of a dramatised version of Mrs. H. B. Stowe's widefamed novel " Uncle Tom's Cabin." The front seats were well filled, while those at tlie back were literally crowded, and the audience appeared to thoroughly enjoy the performance, for laughter and applause were freely indulged in. Of the piece, as presented last evening, we cannot speak in terms of unqualified praise. There was not sufficient of the pathetic story made familiar to all by the talented authoress and too much that cannot by any stretch of the imagination be said to have the remotest connection with the drama or the intelligible rendering of the plot of one of the most touching works ever written for the purpose of exposing a national evil. The audience were sparingly supplied with ths more substantial portion of the feast and regaled with a superfluity of the mere stuffing. The drama, from what we were able to judge of its representation last evening, appears to have been constructed with a view of affording some scope for acting, more for the display of the vocal and terpsichorean powers of the Georgias, and most for the exhibition of the talents of the scenic artist. The last qualification was, however, but meagrely supplied last night, for though a praiseworthy attempt was made to illustrate the story, the scenery was very scanty, a great deal being left to the imagination of the audience. This was entirely owing to the total inadequacy of the stage accommodation for tlie proper representation of any play. The company possess all the necessary [scenery, but were unable to use it, owing to the limited space at their command. It is probable that many portions of the drama essential to the rendering of the story intelligibly had to be omitted for the same reason. The company is a strong one, containing all the elements necessary to the proper representation of "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and it is matter for regret that they were compelled to find shelter under the roof of such a wretched hall as the drill-shed. The acting on the whole was very good, though, some of the company appeared to be out of spirits or suffering from the effects of travelling. The death of little Eva was a painfully realistic scene, and affected some of the audience to tears. Next to this we must class the scene at the end of the drama where Legree thrashes and kicks Uncle Tom almost to death, Nellie Holmes made a capital Eva, representing the character in' very clever manner. Miss Fanny Wiseman was amusing, but her Topsy was scarcely the Topsy created by Mrs. Stowe. Mr. Lewis gave a quiet, unpretentious representation of Uncle Tom, and Mr. Collier's poutrayal of the scoundrel Simon Legree was excellent, his make-up and acting being almost perfect,

The other characters were creditably performed, the most worthy of notice being I Miss Lizzie Bushe (Eliza), Messrs. Stoneham (George Harris), South (Tom Loker), and Musgrave (Mr. Shelby). A number of songs and choruses of a mixed sacred and secular character were creditably rendered by the Georgia Jubilee Singers, and one of them gave a capital banjo solo, obtaining a well-merited encore. Some good dancing was indulged in, and altogether the entertainment was of a very diversified nature. " Uncle Tom's Cabin " will be repeated this evening.