WAITAHUNA

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 54, 20 February 1869, Page 5

WAITAHUNA

(TJy our Special Reporter.) On Monday last the "Waitalmna Dramatic Corps made its appearance in tlie Assembly Boom, for the first time in public in their new piece "As Like as Two Peas." The Assembly Room is now all but completed, and is indeed an ornament to the township ; it is commodious, and well adapted for Readings and vocal and other entertainments. An ante room has been added, as a wing to the building, during the last month, and has been found of incalculable advantage to the Corps for dressing &c. These entertainments have, in short, become an institution in "Waitahuna, and the Assembly Room is now the great resort of sm evening, for seldom a week passes without several meetings or entertainments taking place in it. To the exertions of Mr. Pearson, Secretary, and a good working committee,_we believe is due the present building, and it must be extremely gratifying to them to witness the unparalleled success which has crowned their efforts. The attendance on Monday evening was really good, about two hundred ladies and gentlemen being present. A chorus by the glee club commenced the entertainment, after which the following prologue, written by Mr. Busst, was read by Mr. Simmonds. Two months and more have gone and past, Since we appeared before you last ; And since that time a change has come O'er the appearance of this room. 'T is useless in detail to tell you What must be patent to the view. The committee have done their best To aid our piece ard give it zest ; And we •will do our best to please, In giving you " As lake's Two Peas." But we must crave you a3 before, To lightly censure amateurs. And if we do your plaudits gain, 'Twill 'courage us to try again, By helping at some future day To clear this building's debt away. So ladies we your presence crave, The gentlemen we're sure to have: If you your smiling faces show, They're bound to follow where you go. Thanks then for your kind presence here, Your smiles each one of us will cheer. Then presently we'll make a start, By introducing Philip, smart. Next that half cracked fellow PritcJtards, Followed soon by Mrs. Richards. Mr. Richards follows after, "Who no doubfc will afford you laughter, By his care the cunning elf, To prove a double of himself. He's followed by Mrs. Pritchards, [Who finds Be Dunstanville a Riclutrds. He does.nt seem to care a pin ; You'll see the ladies punish him. I must not tell you all I know, You'll find it out before you go. After a few minutes pause the curtain rose to Lille's excellent farce "As Like as Two Peas." Mr. Richards, the barrister, -was represented by Mr. Siinmonds. Mr. Fritchard the army contractor, was taken by Mr. Busst, and Philip, Richards' servant, by Mr. Devonshire. Mrs. Richards was impersonated in Mrs. Ohlston, and Mrs. Cook appeared in the character of Mrs. JPritchard. Taking into consideration , that it was their first performance of

the piece, it was, acted throughout with great spirit. A defect common to amateur dramatists showed itself to some extent in the speed with which they went through the piece, as if they were anxious to get to the end of it ; but thie defect w, ill be easily remedied as they become more familiar with their respective parts. The " get up " of the Corps, could hardly have been surpassed. Mr. Simmonds as the swell barrister who frequented the Casino and Cremorne, was true to life, and the army contractor whose avocation was so closely allied to military exploits that his head got turned, was represented by Mr. Busst with inimitable force. Mr. Devonshire's part was light but he as usual excelled in it : the scene where he calls out " fire " when Bichards and Pritchards are fighting in the garden, and his great glee at seeing them in this position, and their wives in a great pickle, took the house by storm. The ladies were in every respect equal to their task, and besides displayed a neatness and simplicity in their toilet very becoming. The piece upon the whole was performed most creditably, and the Dramatic Corps cannot be too much praised. After a few minutes interval, the audience was entertained by Headings, songs, and recitations. The chair on the occasion was occupied by D. Polson, Esq., and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close by a few favorite dances.