"JANE" AT PUKEKOHE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 376, 17 May 1918, Page 3

"JANE" AT PUKEKOHE.

A Successful Performance. There was an overflowing house at • the Premier Hall. Pukekohe on Tuesday eveping last long before the rising of the curtain for the presentation by the Pukekohe Dramatic Club of the comedy entitled "Jane," the production being in *id of the funds of the Puke-

kohe branch of the Women's Patriotic League. The performance is worthy of the highest commendation; throughout it was received with enthusiastic applause by the highly satisfied audience.

The artists were word perfect in their respective and the aid of the prompter was at no time necessary. Further, stiffness of action and movement, usually associated with amateur performances,was non-existent; on the contrary, one and all showed brightness and extreme smartness in the portrayal of the characters they were assuming. The play was the first effort of the Dramatic Club and the success attained is all the more creditable.

As the pert and trim housemaid, whose affections are bestowed on the butler, Miss Vera Oldham filled the title role of "Jane" with dainty vivacity and with a grace that charmed her audience. In the part of " William," the butler, who secretly married Jane, Mr N. L. Brown made a great hit. Mr A. W. Lakeman as "Charles Shackleton," the head of the house, had the character that suited him to perfection. Gracefuly and. prettily, Miss N. Hawke figurtd as "Miss Lucy Norton," Shackleton's fiancee, and as " Mrs Chadwick," Miss Norton's aunt, an elderly and fu»sy chaperone, Miss Vera Devere was natural to a degree. The supporting characters in the cast were ably sustained by Mr T. Walker, Mr J. T. Young, Miss L. Cave and Miss E. Burrows. Stage Manager's duties were most efficiently carried out by Mr J, G. Russell and selections by the Pukekohe Orchestra were much enjoyed. The stage settings testified to Mr S. Boyce's skill as an artist, he having kindly painted the scenic adornments. At the interval in the programme, Mr A. B. Barter, on behalf of the Women's Patriotic League, expressed the League's thanks to those who had provided such an excellent entertainment.

The performance was repeated at Buckland last night and the comedy will be again presented at Waiukunext Tuesday evening, as also for the benefit of the Pukekohe Fire Brigade in the Premier Hall, Pukekohe, on Thursday next.