CALEDONIAN DRAMATIC SOCIETY.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 41, 6 January 1894, Page 7

CALEDONIAN DRAMATIC SOCIETY.

Sir Walter Scott is always welcome. Whether he comes in his own proper guise as an inimitable storyteller or in dramatic form, the great Wizard of the North never fails to charm his countrymen, and, for the matter of that, all who can appreciate literature that “ gives delight and hurts not.” Thanks to the Caledonian Dramatic Society, which fulfils in its way functions as important as those of the Caledonian Society of Southland, forming indeed a fitting complement to it, admirers of the Scottish drama have for a number of years had an opportunity of gratifying their tastes. The latest venture of the Society was in “ The Heart of Midlothian,” which was given in the Theatre Eoyal on Monday and Tuesday evenings. The first house was represented by £B6 and the second by £44 —a financial record that is seldom surpassed even by professional companies. It is also pleasant to he able to add that from a histrionic point of view the pers formance was highly meritorious. To describe the play would be a work of supererogation—particularly in a community numbering so many admirers of Sir Walter Scott as this. Everybody is familiar with the story of Jeanie Deans and the memorable journey she undertook to save the sister, for whom, e’en though ready to brave much, she could not bear false witness. She is the central figure in the drama. For jher representative the choice of the management fi 11 on Miss Geddcs, and the event justified their wisdom. A happier selection could not have been made. She merged her identity in that of the character, and was throughout the embodiment of sisterly devotion. Her incidental songs, “The bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond ” and “ Scotland yet,” were admirably given, and delighted the audience. The character is one that appeals strongly to the sympathies of the spectators, and their applause was freely bestowed. Miss Ritchie, to whom was entrusted the part of the unhappy Effie, deserves a meed of praise, her acting being natural and marked by a good deal of feeling. As Queen Caroline Mrs Geddcs did well, speaking and carrying herself witli becoming dignity. Miss Scott, as Lady Suffolk, was a stately maid of honour. Mrs Brown and Mrs M. Mair as Margery Murdockson (tne evil genius of the occasion) and Madge Wildfire (her demented daughter) contributed signally to the success of the evening. Mrs Brown infused a good deal of vigour into her impersonation, and Mrs Mair made a most picturesque Madge, talking and singing with a breezy lightness and vivacity in admirable keeping with the character. Now for the mon-folk. And first and foremost comes the Laird o’ Dumbiedikes. Only one man in Invercargill could adequately pourtray that strange mixture of bashfulncss, conceit, generosity and sordidness. Wc mean Mr A. McKellar, to whom patrons of the Dramatic Society are indebted for so many pleasant hours. He did not fail them on this occasion. He had the audience in roars every time he appeared, and they must have been glad of the spells afforded by his temporary disai pearance from the stage. Mr A. McKillop as the Duke of Argyle, comported himself with easy grace and dignity, while his clear, mellow tones fell pleasantly on the ear. Mr D. Bissett, as Geordie Eobertson, made the most of a somewhat thankless part, scoring well in the scene in which he offered to sacrifice himself if need be to save Effie Deans. Mr W. McLeod infused a good deal of grim humour into the part of Eatcliife the ex-highwayman, and Messrs C. and Y. Almao made a sprightly pair of “ gentlemen of the ro.id.” Mention should have been made ere this of Mr J. Forrester’s assumption of the character of David Deans, the heart-broken father of Effie and Jeanie. It was most meritorious throughout, and marked by qualities that prove the possession of natural dramatic ability. Mr VY. E. Mirrielces, as Eeuben Butler, the young clergyman, Jeanio’s lover and helper of the family in their time of trial, made the most of a comparatively small pai’t. Satisfactory work was also done b_y Messrs J. McNatty and M. J. Spear (counsel), and Mcsssrs J. McDonald, A. Geddcs, and G. Anderson. Mr A. McKellar acted as stage manager’, and Mr J. McGregor as musical director — the last named and Iris orchestra did good service each night, presenting a capital and varied programme of appropriate selections. Some striking and pretty scenery was introduced, for which Mr J. J. Cuff deserves the credit, and also for the admirable mounting of the piece. Mr E. W. Wright proved himself an efficient “ maker-up.” At the close of the second act on Monday night Mr James Aitkon (President of the Caledonian Society) thanked the audience on its behalf for their very liberal patronage. It was most gratifying to the directors and members of the Dramatic Society to see such a great assemblage gathered together to witness a drama staged by a body of ladies and gentlemen whose services were freely- given for the benefit of the Society. (Applause). It had also been very gratifying to the directors and members of the Caledonian Society to see such a large concourse of people at the annual games in the Park Eeserve that afternoon. Close on 7000 people were present — far and away the largest attendance ever recorded. (Applause ) The money taken at the gates and for admission to the inner ring amounted to £250. These facts and figures proved conclusively that the Society was yearly gaining in popularity with the people of Invercargill ar.d (he surrounding districts. Through the sueocss of the games and of that

evening’s performance the funds of the Society would be considerably augmented, and the directors intended during the year, in conjunction with the A. and P. Society, to erect a commodiousgrand stand which would be at once of great benefit to the public attending the games and the show and an ornament to the town. (Applause.) There were towns in New Zealand of far greater dimensions than Invercargill—Christchurch, for example—which no longer possessed a Caledonian Society. It said very little lor the Scotsmen of that city that they should have allowed the name of Caledonia to die out in their midst. It might be urged that Christchurch was not a Scottish settlement, but where there was such a large population there must necessarily be a percentage of Scotsmen, for, as the old saying had it, if one went to the farthest corner of the world they would be sure to find there a Scotsman—and a Chinaman. (Laughter.) During the year a great many young members had joined the Society (and when ho said young members he might add that they were young New Zealanders) which was a proof that though born in the most southern part of the globe, they had inherited the sentiments of their patriotic and true-hearted fathers and mothers. They called themselves the Caledonian Society because Scotsmen were the fathers and founders of the annual games, yet they recognised in this young country, with its mixture of nationalities, that they had to provide a programme suitable to the tastes of all—events that would allow the representatives of different nations to compete. (Applause.) Some people ran away with the idea that the Society consisted entirely of Scotsmen, but as a matter of fact they bad on the directorate Englishmen, Irishmen, and Scotsmen, and he was sure that the bitter feeling arising from national differences which existed centuries ago had no place in the hearts of their directors. (Applause.) He was certain that so long as they had on the directorate gentlemen to uphold the honour and glory of the Shamrock, Hose, and Thistle their Society was bound to flourish. (Applause.) Like other public bodies they had a great deal of opposition to contend with, and there were those who held that they should not monopolise the theatre on New Year’s night, but give professional companies a show. But what did such companies and circuses do ? They simply drained the town of all the money they possibly could, whereas every shilling accumulated by the exertions of the directors and members of the Caledonian and Dramatic Societies through public patronage was again spent for the benefit of every man, woman, and child in the town and district. There were others, again, who objected to the drama—who held that parents had no right to allow their sons and daughters to take part in plays. People who talked like that were very narrowminded, for he was sure all who had read Sir Waiter Scott’s novels, or studied the dramas based on them, would admit that grand moral sentiments and lessons were to be taken from them—sentiments that, if practised in everyday life by the people in question, would prove beneficial to themselves and all belonging to them. Where in history, or everyday life would they find a grander picture of an innocent, brave-hearted Scotch lassie than that depicted in the character of Jeannie Deans ? Mr Aitken then, in fitting terms, presented Mr W. H. Eobins, winner of the heavy weight wrestling champion belt, valued at £4O. Mr Eobins, who has won the trophy three years in succession, made suitable acknowledgment, and the play was soon after resumed.

After the performance on the first night, the members of the company and a number of friends were entertained at supper in Johnson’s Club Hotel, where they received a cordial -welcome from host and hostess, and, in toast and song and mutual good wishes for the coming year, forgot the fatigues of the earlier part of the evening.