Dandy Dick. BY THE WAIMATE AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume II, Issue 28, 1 August 1899, Page 3

Dandy Dick. BY THE WAIMATE AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB.

The play so successfully performed last week, and to be repeated to-morrow evening 1 , calls for somo fuifchor notice at our hands. Of the general character of the play we ha\e alien dy written, but those who undertake the arduous task of staging three-act dramas deserve something more than brief mention. The central figure of the play, the Eev. Mr Jedd — the Dean of St. Marvel's — was in the hands Mr H. R. Asquith. He had a very long part with speeches and dialogues that would tax the memory of a trained hand. His memory plnyed him no ti\cks however, and he played throughout with great ease, and with the quiet pomposity essential to the part. He never for a moment relaxed his grasp of the character, and this fact with the long sustained stead v efforts of his performance called forth marked approval from the audience. If we wished to be very critical, we would say there were passages in which he might have exhibited more emotion without lessening his dignity, but any minor faultfinding of this sort does not in the least detract from a most admirable pourtmyal of the character of the wellintentioned Dean, who in a fatal moment gets entangled in the crooked of paths the turf. Mr Hamilton took the part of Blore — the Dean's butler— a would be respectable person of his own class, who however, much to the reVerened gentleman's astonishment, planked the savings of his kitchen hands on his favourite in the local races. Now. the Dean had set his face very firmly against the sin of horse - racing, and his horror is great on discovering his faithful servant's misdemeanours. The exponent of this character appeared at his best — his get-up was all that could be wished — his mannerisms were good, and his speeches clear and distinct, while his I play was consistent all through. The I scene where he tempts his master (of all nien !) to put his 'little bit of stuff' j on Bonnie Betsy waa perhans his best effort. Mr Hamilton lost his identity in acting the part, and consequently represented wish credit the cringing servant of the Deanery. Mr Pitcnithly, as 'Sir Tmtam Mardon, was in his element He has frequsntlv sustained this clftas of character before Waimate audiences — one of sollicking humour and fun, and be

nowhere fell below his previous standaid. His acting added much to the merriment of the evening. Mr E. C. Studholme aud Mr G. J. (ro'dstone took the part of the military lovers of the Dean's daughters — in fact they entice them to a ball in town vuthout "dear papa's" knowledge. Mr Studholme made his first appearance on the stage as Major Tarver and his acting was very til-editable ; Jus disguise was also effective. His happiest effort was in the scene where he offers to feing " Come into the garden, Maud," but throughout the piece he played the part of the somewhat lacka daisical lover vvith "a shocking liver." in a manner deser\ing of great commendation. Mr Goldstone was simply Apollo like in appearnnce, but he did not display that activity and interest m his p,ut that his former performances would have led us to expect Mi .Robot t Goldstone did Hatcham tho Gloom's part well, and with much via acitv. It is enstomary to make a good deal of tun of paisons and policemen on the stage, their supposed dignity as repre sentnfhes of the majesty of the law, and the chu'-ch, lends itself pecuhaily to the humourous side of the-rlramati-c art It was evident that Mr Chohnondeley's charncter of Topping, the chief constable of St. Marvell's, conjoined in ilsclf the ludicious elements of crass ignoiincc and bumptious conceit. It is just possible, however, to oveulo this ohai.irtcr, and it is probably safer in such repiesontetions to act somewhat below tho "height of the lidiculous," if &u«s:ested by the play- j wnsht, in order to avoid making a cau"atur° of the part. Mr Cholmondelev kept up bis rendering of the pait most consistently, but there was just this tondpney to caricature which a slightly different interpretation of the policeman's conduct would have avoidod. Apart from that, Mr Cholmondeloy's peiformance was very satisfactory indeed Among thp ladies, Miss Eae's acting was much admired. She represented the horsey, spoitine;. good-natured lady, to the -very life. Her animation, buoyant gaiety, and the absence of staginess were beyond all praise. Miss Rae has a fine stage presence, which combined with her vitality, made her with the Dean quite the central figure in tbe. plot. For a first appearance before a public audience, we have never seen a more capable performance. The Misses Evans played the " "Dean's daughters." Miss Evans looked well and acted well, and was as übual quite at home in her part. Miss Sara was cast for a more difficult character — the Dean's " toy-child," — the spoiled girl of the family. She has good precedents for playing the part as she did, namely, in a babyish, kittenish fashion, though some thought the character was represented aa too young. This required an affectation of voice that the actress never dropped, and the mincing little dame found an excellent exponent in Miss Sara Evans. This lady, with Miss Jiae, threw into their parts just that spice of naughtiness that was required for a correct representation. Mrs Owen's first bow before an audience was a successful one. Her acting.as the constable's wife was capable, and fully appreciated. The only thing we noticed, however, was that the strong Irish accent was not equally evident at all times* The performance all through was an eminently satisfactory one, the play being full of fun and brightness from beginning to end, and a good house should meet its repitition.