DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1406, 17 October 1885, Page 2

DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT.

A dramatic entertainment was given in the Terauka Volunteer Hall last night by a company of local amateurs in aid of the funds of the Benevolent Society, There was a very large attendance, and the performance was gone through faithfully. The curtain rose to the well-known and ever popular comedietta, “ The Happy Pair.” This is b one act piece that plays about 40 minutes, and its dramatis persona consist of a husband and wife, Mr and Mrs Honey ton. They are newly married, and the wife’s over-zealous efforts to please become intolerable to the husband, The more fervent and passionate she becomes in her expressions of endearment, the more cold and indifferent becomes the husband, and at last she begins to think she has lost his affections. In a letter a lady friend advises her to treat her husband with indifference, and she acts upon the suggestion. The husband is astonished at the altered attitude of his wife till he discovers the letter, when, of course, he finds she has been acting the part all the time. When she finds he has discovered her secret, she becomes very indignant, and a scene ensues, which, however, results in reconciliation being effected, and the “Happy Pair” being once more happy. The piece is capitally written, the language being excellent, and it was done justice to by Mrs Hargreaves and Mr Pinckney. Their acting on the whole was very creditable. The interval which succeeded this was devoted to music. Mrs Hnyhusrt sang the “ The Silver Rhine,” with great effect, and Mrs Rout “Alice, Where Art Thou ?” in her usually finished style, and both were encored. The hand also played an excellent musical selection. After a short interval a farce entitled “ Lend Me Five Shillings ” was produced. For this the stage was got up splendidly. Never before have we seen it look so well. It looked really pretty, and reflected great credit on the good taste of the stage manager, Mr E. W. Gurr, as well as on the industry of his assistants. The scene is a ballroom one, and hung all over the place were a number of Chinese lanterns and other lamps, which gave the stage an appearance which carried us back to the rec Election of the beautiful scenery exhibited by the Marionettes, The plot of this is simple. In a ballroom MrGolightly meets his lady-love, who asks him to b* her escort home. He has played at cards his last shilling, and has not the rwherowithal to pay for a fly, and ho is all night asking everyone for (he loan of five shillings, but no one has it to lend. He is mulcted in expenses to the extent of several pounds, and has not a penny to pay. A jealous husband besides attempts to shoot him, he makes several mistakes, and, in fact, is in hot water from beginning to end. The whole burden of the acting in this piece falls on Mr Goligluly, who was represented by Mr Gurr, and those who have seen that gentleman on the stage before will realise at mice that (he part was well done. Miss Lndhrooke, as Mrs Major Phobbs, (he widow who bad won Mr Goligbtly’s affections, played the next most important part with much ability, and Mr Bryant as Captain Phobbs, Mr Ashwell as Captain Spruce, Mr Haines as Mr Morland, Mr Pinckney as S»m the waiter, and Mrs Ashwell as Mrs Captain Phobbs, acquitted themselves creditably in their various parts. The piece was well dressed and well mounted, and was thoroughly appreciated by the audience. Mias Brown presided at the piano, and played the dance music. After the entertainment a dance was held, and dancing was kept up spiritedly till an early hour in the morning. At this there was a large attendance and everything passed off very satisfactorily.