Stratford News

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 140, 31 October 1912, Page 3

Stratford News

Front Our Resident Reporter. " OUR REGIMENT." I- Our Regirt:rr,z'' is descrihea, arid corwHv described, as a, sparkling and stirring military comedy. Tlicrc is no doubt that the comedy is capitally written, and it fairly scintillates with smart witticisms, so that the keenest, listeners are the most keenly delighted. Tt. is capitally dressed, too, tile scarlet, uniforms of the military heightening the effect produced j>y the pretty froeking of the lady memhi'rs of the company. "Our Regiment,," as produced in the Stratford Town Hall last night by the Stratford amateurs in aid of the funds of the Taranaki Territorial Sports Club, was distinctly successful and enjoyable. The. story is based mainly on the marvellous fascination of the military uniform upon the fair sex, and the fondness of the soldier for ladies' society. To throw these features into bold relief the writer has created a pompous and rich old gentleman who bates soldiers and soldiering, and who holds the whole of the defence system of Great Britain in absolute contempt. He, however, is overruled, in most things by his wife, and here again their natures and inclinations cross, with the usual result, that the wife emerges triumphant. The arrival of the Bth Lancers in the locality of the home of Mr. Dobbinson (who hates soldiers) causes no end of ( j a flutter among tlie fair sex. and the ; daughter (Miss Olive Dobbinson) and : his ward (Miss Enid Thurston) are more excited still when it is announced that j Mrs. Dobbinson has invited Captain Featherstone and Lieutenant Warrener to stay with them. An old friend (Mr. Ellabv) and his niece (Miss Ellabv) arrive at the same time, and as Ellabv loves soldiers he and Dobbinson have many a "spar." The girls, of course, are in for a- good .time. Enid, who is an heiress, is already in love .with Fe.iitherstone, but he takes no pains to conceal the fact that he cannot reciprocate the affection bestowed on him, and hands her over to Warren. Olive Dobbinson has chosen Warren, but is forced to put up with Featherstone. Meanwhile the new curate, a liarum scarum sort of chap in his college days, but now qualifying for a profession that is anything but congenial to him. rouses the ire of Mr. Ellabv, who returns Ids affections. But her uncle ! wants a soldier, and not a parson, for j a nephew. Bv the recital of these few j facts it, will be seen that there is a i pretty fair love tangle to lie smoothed ' out. and nanv funny things occur before ' the voting folks are dillv paired off. Mrs. F. IT. Lumpen fills the role of Miss Enid Thurston to the life, bringing to the part that vivacity and coyness needed to make a success.of it. Of attractive

stage presence. and betraying a familiarity with "the boards." her impersonation was r-apital. Mrs. Uniaeke was superb as domineering Mrs. Dobbinson. and she ruled Dobbinson (Captain Stevens) firmlv. Always a favorite with a Stratford audience. and handsome in the uniform of (lie Slh Lineers. Mrs. Uniaeke added to her laurels. Miss E. Cameron, too. had a full part, and carried herself and spoke her lines with ease .and "race, despite a slightly relaxed throat which had troubled her for some days. Mrs. Hogg. as Miss Dobbinson, played her part well -throughout, whether as an excitable. .laughing girl, or as -a maiden crossed in love. Captain Lampen must be awarded the palm among the menfolk. He lived and made his part as a military dandy, and his vigorous onslaught on the heiress, firing off great chunks of information about Jamaica, which he. had "fagged up" on learning that Miss Thurston was born there, were most realistic. His work excelled that of many professionals, and he was never uninteresting, although he had the stage managing on his shoulders as we}l as one of the heaviest parts. Captain Stevens made a vigorous "Mr. Dobbinson." the anti-militar-ist. and some of his sallies were irresis-

tible. "Mr. Oeo. Bond. as the Rev. Talbnt ("not a bit like a curate") was good, j very good, displaying a pood knowledge of his part and putting himself in the curate's plr.ee very naturally. Mr. Hugh Cameron was Captain Feathers tone, the "destroying angel" of the regiment among the fair sex. Mr. P. -Budd. very excitable, very enthusiastic, but charmed with his own coolness and sang froid. ir?\s a capital Mr. Ellaby. and Mr. T. Lonegran filled the role of butler. The special scenery painted by Mr. Diamond was pretty, and the fern-covered rockery and fountain in the third act gave a pretty effect. The Stratford Orchestral Society (Mr. 'Rogers, conductor) playes the incidental music, and rendered several fine military marches in good style, whilst the Stratford Bra>s Band (Mr. T. Marshall, bandmaster) also contributed to the musical success. How the heiress was won for 4 'our Regiment" will be told I again to-night, and the Stratford public | will surely provide another bumper ; house.

STRAY PARAGRAPHS Mr. W. R. Bonner, of Stratford, who has purchased the Tariki Hotel, enters into possession on Thursday. Mr. Bonner is well known and respected here. He is one of the old residents, and his acquaintance with the district dates back to times far bevond the ken of the new generation of Stratfordites. Tie has certh.evr* tor over twenty-five vr:rs. His ?■•'"•! h liini luck in his venture. •>' 3 *>4 T>unlop lie " gotiated the sale.

The new firm of :.!iw.k auctioneers and agents (Messrs. F. 'vV. Wol»ter, K K. • Dobson, Geo. Smith and F. P. Uniacke) is to be known, I understand, as "Messrs. Webster. Dobson & Co." The firm has leased one of the shops ill the Municipal Buildings now 7 occupied by Mr. A. Spence, and will have the premises converted into up-to-date olfices. ( On dit that the Borough Council's steam roller is not the. Council's at all yet, and certain little additions or alterations have to bo made before the Council will accept delivery. The New Zealand touring cadets, who have i'.'.st retuin.d from their visit to Canada, arrived here at about 0.30 on Tuesday night from E'.thmi, where the boys had, after their long journey in the train. l«, i..ulergo a reception. They : were billeted in S'/atford. and spent yes--11 Hi:; v in New Plymouth, returning by the evening train to attend the performance of ''Our Regiment" at the Town li.ill, where, they were welcomed by the Mavor.

PERSONAL Mr. (100. Smart, who has been seriously indisposed for days, is now rrcjainiiiL' his health. Miss ivy P>iili-lirr U reported to be slowly recoreriiij; from her very serious iilness in tlie. hospital.

STRATFORD A. & P. SHOW. Kuril's for llio Siritiford A. &• I*. Show are i-oMiinsr rreeh lo I lie .secretary"* of;;nil liciiirc (lie closing d:vie :i record list is Kti tries for classes in cattle, horse-, slifep, tlojp. ponlIry. home industries. technical classes, iiiid school children's exhibits, close on November lil positively. and intending exhibitors would assist the work in tlio secretary's ollicc "v sending in their (illtries as early as nossihle. Competitors ■in the champion butter-fat competition

are reminded that entries in this competition close 011 Fridav 1 >;! it ."> p.m.

HIS MAJESTY'S THEATRE

The great boat race in which liichavd Arnst was beaten for the world's championship by Ernest Barry, the English oarsman, will be screened at Bernard's Pictures tliia evening, along with a complete change of all-star films. Outstanding features of the pictures are its remarkable clearness, nm! ;it» .-!n> rah;i> presentation it makes ol ii,. ; junto.* • ,w. Patrons will be able to judge wr themselves the correctness of. the T-TiMen reports of the race, .-tml form tiicir tnvu ideas as !,<• why Aril At lost. Among sentimental heart stories, perhaps none is more widely known than that cold l'n the poem by -John Townsend Trowbridge, of ''The Vagabonds." A wandering violinist enters a bar-room, followed by his canine companion, Roger, lie entertains the company with Roger's tricks, and relates his story. The story of the vagabond violinist tells of ",i dear girl's love," and of how the "wine went round." and of the blasted home and broken heart that followed his taking to drink. He relates how, years afterwards, when a wanderer, he saw her, and how she little dreamed he had kissed the'coin she had dropped to him. He finishes his story by picturing the after scenes of his vagabond life, with Roger as his companion.