TUAEKAAMATEURDRAMATIC C L U B.

Tuapeka Times, Volume II, Issue 75, 17 July 1869, Page 3

TUAEKAAMATEURDRAMATIC C L U B.

An entertainment was given by the Amateur Dramatic Club, at the Sportsman's Arms, .Wetherstones, on Thursday evening, for the benefit of the widoy and children of the late I\ H. Marriott. The room was .crowded to the door by a most enthusiastic audience. A little'after.eight o'clock,, the curtain rose to the laughable comedy, "Nan, the Good for Nothing," ra which Mrs. Parker sustained the part of Nan in a manner. which, judging from^^ne frequent outbursts of applaus&TOid laughter, was highly appreciated — her "make-up" being very good. Mr. Bastings; as tPom, who was peyer "a. going to speak above a

whisper," but who, nevertheless, might have been heard half a mile off, also frequently brought down the house; while Mr. Farrer, as Harry, came in for a goodly share of' applause, his acting and "mate-up" being all that could be deßired. As .for Charlie, as represented by Mr. Ferguson, nad he shown a little less of the sentimental young washerwoman in his acting, he might, with a great effort of imagination, have passed for a carpenter ; but as it was, the chip was certainly ta.ken from the wrong block. However, the piece went off very well, and appeared to give general satisfaction. After a short interval, songs were given by Mr. Bates, with his usual success, and by Messrs. Bastings,'- Francis, Sutherland, and Downes, who were honoured with an encore. The curtain then rose to the comic drama, " D'ye know me now ? " The great hit of the evening was made "by Mr. Abel, as UTogo Dumps, who, although he may have been born under a watery planet, proved himself a veritable "star. His appearance, tone of voice, &c, were admirably suited to the part ; and the same may be said of Mr. Fenwick, as j Samuel Waitwell. Indeed, it would have beendifficult to imagine the latter gentleman " hanything nelse " than a born knight of the tablecloth. Mr. Downes, as Septimus Sellwell Jolly, and Mr. Keen, as Jabez Sniggins, sustained their parts admirably ; indeed, the : whole performance surpassed anything by amateurs we ever witnessed before. All the characters received an enthusiastic call before the curtain at the conclusion of the piece Mr. Bastings returned thanks on behalf of Mrs. Marriott in a short and telling speech. Altogether, the entertainment was a great success.