AMATEUR THEATRICALS.

West Coast Times, Issue 392, 27 December 1866, Page 5 (Supplement)

AMATEUR THEATRICALS.

(TO THE EDITOR OF THE WEST COAST TIMES.)

Sir — By fostering and nourishing a young plant during the process of germination, and by surrounding such plant by protective influences, should other circumstances be favorable, I doubt not but that ultimately that once tiny plant will cTevelope itself, and in due time become a nourishing tree and yield forth, as the reward of such labor, fruit in abundanco ; so thus, by a little care, diligence, and encouragement, what might have been but a barren stalk would thus be rendered a fruitful tree. ' " Iv your issue of the 21st instant, whilsi remarking ou the'firsfc performance of our newly organised Amateur Dramatic Club, you carefully avoid giving a full criticism or discuss thfr individual merits or demerits of those of the club who look part therein, but close your brief and satirical paragraph by recommeudin<* that "a little more attention should be paid to the text and a little less reliance placed on the prompter." Now, certainly, that is a complete model of advice. ' But you must remember that even our local professionals cannot do without the assistance of such an important - functionary as a prompter, and the management find that such an individual is absolutely indispensable. And, after attending our local theatre for months past, I have also arrived at the same conclusion. Surely this is not all the, encouragement the club can hope to receive from such an important representative of the I' fourth estate." Now, I think that a few well-directed remarks, pointing out the erroi*3, and suggesting a means of avoiding the same on a future occasion, would be more in accordance with the established principles of our important local newspaper using its utmost to promote the advancement of the district to which it owes its existence. It is the discouraging remai'ks of an incompetent reporter which, on more than one occasion, has been the cause of damaging the prospects of other clubs of a similar nature. Here we have a number of gentlemen who g tvn fViMT timft, mipygy. nnrl ability towards, promoting a / charitable object gratis, and use every exertion in their power to make the affair a success ; which, considering the many difficulties they had to contend against, consequent upon their first appearance before the footlights, they certainly have done ; and after thus exerting themselves are to be held up to public ridicule I think is scarcely correct ; wliilst a little encouragement and a little sound advice from jou, would have the effect of keeping amongst us a club that can congratulate themselves upon the success of their first nppeai'ance. In conclusion, I have to say fliat I am in no way whatever connected with the above club, nor am I identified with it in any way whatever. Trusting to your ÜBual courtesy for insertion of the above, I am, &c,

Presto. [tt is evident that our correspondent has not only mistaken the remarks that wo published regarding the performance of the clnb in question^ but thai-he is also remarkably verdant in his acquaintance with human nature. He certainly knows not the fearful sum of responsibility comprised in the simple verb "to advise," or realises the irritability and impatience of criticism inseparable from the stage. We declined to criticise because we should have been compelled in many places to condemn, and to advise because it would certainly have aroused ill-will : and therefore preferred to generalise and pass a compliment to the goodfeeling and charity of the members of the club that we must have withheld in truth and justice from their ability. True, they are beginners ; but Bhould the public be condemned on that account to listen to blundering over a theatrical primer or stagic multiplication table ? They must '•' practice, practice, practice," and after they attain something like proficiency,' their efforts may be favorably , regarded. It is pleasant to hear one read ; but what would we say to healing the efforts of a tyro studying the intricacies of the alphabet ? What good purpose would have been served by our observing that Mr Macleod was in our opinion a fair actor, but was oblivious of half the author's text ? or that Mr Banks remembered his part, but was not so good an actor? or that Mr "Watkins was superior to both ? or that all the others appeared as if they had been brought on against their will, and only sought a good opportunity to make their escape ? or that several appeared to be perplexed with an inability to dispose of their arms and legs, and with a chronic flexibility of the back and neck ? Why, we should have never heard the last of it. We wish to encourage the Hokitika Dramatic Club, and that is the reason we preferred looking at the will rather than the deed ; we could not honestly praise then.' acting, and therefore remained charitably silent. As to our correspondents insinuation of " incompetence" ' wo willingly admit that fault, if he thus translates our inability to appreciate where appreciation would be a lack of taste, and our disinclination indiscriminately to bespatter with Talse praise the amateurs in question. — Ed. W.C.T.]

The Christchurch " Press," of the 28th instant contains the following telegram from Wellington : — '' The Manawatu land meeting terminated on Saturday. Dr Feathfcrston without an escort safely returned toParawenui on Friday with the money, two hundred mounted Natives welcoming him with enormous enthusiasm a few miles from thence. On Saturday the money was apportioned to the representative chiefs, who for themselves aud tribes ignored old feuds and interchanged vows of lasting friendship. War and other dances followed, and a great feast closed the evening." Why do the birds feel depressed early in a summer morning ? Because their little bille are all over dew.