THEATRICALS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume 1, Issue 11, 14 December 1872, Page 2

THEATRICALS.

.—_ 0 AMATEUR PERFORMANCE AT ORMOND. Last Monday evening will long be remembered by many in this district, as being one of the most enjoyable evenings spent in Poverty Bay. On that evening, pursuant to advertisement in this journal, and notices posted in town and country, the members of the “ Ormond Dramatic Club” gave their opening entertainment, for the season, to a full and appreciative audience, composed of the elite of Poverty Bay. Seldom have we had the good fortune to witness an amateur performance, that gave such unqualified satisfaction, and certainly seldom has praise and success been so well deserved. Nothing good exceed the kindness, attention, and hospitality of the members of the club and others in their endeavour to make things agreeable.

In criticising the performance, where all did their best and did it well, it would be invidious to particularise, yet we think that the extraordinary talent displayed by some of the members will warrant a few personal allusions. Mr. Seaton as “ Harry,” and Mr. Jefferies who personated “ Nan the Good for Nothing,” are especially deserving of notice. Mr. Hindle as “Bill” in the same Farce, was also very lifelike, but (we hope this gentleman will take it in good part) was sometimes inaudible. Mr. Seaton depicted the honest hardworking, rough, but affectionate brother as natural as life, while to those who know the very great difficulties to be surmounted in sustaining a lady’s part will bear us out in saying that but few actresses could have rendered it more effectually than Mr. Jefferies. Mr. Whitehead received an encore for his song “ Champagne Charlie,” and answered with “ I knew I must be dreaming.” Mr. Power’s “Sailors’ Hornpipe,” drew down thunders of applause from the gallery, and was re-demanded. Messrs. Seaton and Clements, in the “Nervous Cures,” were appropriately got up, and the latter gentleman was nervously amusing. Mr. Barsdell at the “ Sprite,” was very sprightly, and certainly, astonished the natives, not a few.

After the first scene of the “ Artful Dodge,” it became apparent to most people that the chef-d’ oeuvre of the evening had been reserved to the last. The almost professional versatility of talent displayed in this comedy, was very noticeable. Mr. Smith, as “ Grudge,” portrayed the opulent, grasping old pawnbroker to a nicety, while “Miss Grudge” (Mr. Galbraith) by her engaging manners,and even lady-like appearance, deceived a good many besides her money-loving “ papa.” Mr. Carson as Tim, and Mr. Jefferies as Susan were veiy effective. The characters

sustained by Messrs. Bennett and Gannon were, undoubtedly, masterpieces of acting; the representation of “Dodge” by the former, left an impression that this gentleman is possessed of something more than ordinary talent. His philosophical reasoning as to the benefits an “Artful Dodger” of his type, conferred on mankind, was very rich. His rile, a most difficult one, was performed with a well-sus-tained evenness ; and the song “ ’Tis nice to be a father,” rendered in this gentleman’s happiest style, inspired the celibates with hope so successfully that he received two vociferous ovations. Mr. Bennett was ably seconded by Mr. Gannon as “The Hon. Julius Fitzfudge,” the genteel swindler in search of “ A Father.”

In closing our notice of the first, but we trust not the last of these performances this season, we must not omit to mention the wind instrument band, under the leadership of Mr. Clements, nor the effectiveness of the music rendered by Mr. Sherriff, who presided at the piano during the evening, the success of the entertainment being in a great measure due to their efforts. The scenery by Mr. Jefferies, whose versatile genius has been in great requisition, was a subject of special commendation. The entertainment wound up with a dance, in which those inclined, tripped on the “ light fantastic toe,” till the small hours of the morning. We wish the Ormond Dramatic Club every success, and hope that it will not be long before they enliven us with another performance, like that of Monday evening.—(Communicated.)