THE MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1067, 1 August 1883, Page 2

THE MUSICAL AND DRAMATIC SOCIETY.

The above Society gave their first performance last evening, in the Harmonic Hall, but the promoters seem to be working under an evil star. Some two weeks back the entertainment had to be postponed, on account of the weather, and last evening, if anything, was more wet and disagreeable than on the former occasion. This unpropitious state of the weather probably accounts for the comparatively small audience, which, though considerably larger than that which assembled on the previous Tuesday night at the Harmonic Society’s Concert, still did not nearly fill the Hall. The overture to the first part by the orchestra, consisting of the Volunteer Band, was very well played and in good time. The drama, “ Harvest Storm” which followed, was, perhaps, rather too short. This drama follows the usual style, and illustrates the character of Andrew Radford, the principal in the piece, being called int® suspicion, but Time it is said reveals all things, and so it proves in this case. The characters were all well assumed, Mr Kearney filling the part of John Garner, a farmer of the old school to perfection. Mr Reid, as Dick Darrell, succeeded in bringing out that worthy’s unscrupulous traits well. The part of Mr Lynx, the detective, was taken by Mr Heron and exceedingly well assumed, while Messrs Nutsford and Davis ns Barker and Nibbler, the detective’s assistants, though only filling minor parts held them with credit. ( Mr Dixon as Sam Lexicon, “ a compiler of a now dictionary of the English language ” created roars of laughter by his frequent and laughable interpositions. The parts of Andrew and Michael Radford, two brothers, wore assumed by Messrs Chadwick and llyams and faithfully depicted although at first neither spoke quite loud enough to bo distinctly beard at the farther end of the hall but this fault was entirely mended ns the evening progressed. Messrs Kilcbing and Neill as Charley Cooper and Nat Lovel, two gipsies, wore very amusing and their parts well carried out. The same may bo said of the overt jre to (ho second part as of that (o the first, it was given in the band’s usual good form. On account ol the unavoidable absence of Mr Kendall, it was found necessary to substitute for a ballad to have boon given by him, the song “ Excelsior” by Mr Heron, which was sung in very good style, and received an encore. Mr T. Nutsford’s “ Laughing Song,” which was encored , was perhaps the best appreciated effort of the evening judging from the loud applause it received, and indeed it could not have been given better. The clarionetto duett by Messrs Rhodes and Brown was well played, as was also a cornet solo by Mr H. Nutsford. Mr Dixon’s song, “ Another new bonnet for mother” was well received, and was encored. The concluding part of the perform-

ance consisted of the farce, “ Billy Doo,” which created continual roars of laughter. The parts of Billy Doo,- Dick Spooner, Theophilus Spruce, and Seraphina Wiggins, were taken by Messrs Hyams, Chadwick, Heron, and “Miss W. Reader,” respectively. It is needless to individualise any of these, as all acquitted themselves most creditably, and to lhe evident enjoyment of the audience. On the whole, the performance gave tokens of careful preparation by who took part therein, and although there appeared to be a slight nervousness among some of the performers, still this will wear off ur* the course of one or two appearances. As the Society are only recently formed, they are to be congratulated on the issue of last evening, and wo must express a wish that the weather will be more favourable on the next night they choose to appear.