GARRICK DRAMATIC CLUB.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 3, Issue 894, 8 October 1881, Page 2

GARRICK DRAMATIC CLUB.

"FISH OUT OF WAIER."

4/aob house assembled last evening to '. ivitness. the-performance of the two pieces l innounced by the Club, notwithstanding j ;he threatening aspect of the weather. rhe'first piece, " The Fish out of' Water," ' proved extremely mirth-provokmg, The [ loting of Mr Rapp as Sam Savory, who ] bad applied for a cook's billet and was ■ angaged as secretary by mistake, was ' very clever, and his letter-writing from' ' dictation caused roars of laughter.. His ' get-up as cook wai a- chef-d'oeuvre. As the cook—engaged when he applied for ' the place of secretary—Mr Bish acted his part well, and his crude ideas of the service created plenty of merriment. Miss Beaufort, as Ellen Oourtley, and Mr T. Wrigley, as Sir George Courtley, acted their parts perfectly; and Mr Clayson looked the portly Epicurean Alderman to the life, An important post was well filled by Mr Coker as the steward, and he looked and acted his. part in a thoroughly natural and effective manner. The finale, in which the crooked arrangement is put straight, Sam assuming his cook's garb, and Charles, being acknowledged by his father and betrothed to Ellen Oourtley, was received with a hearty round of applause, and the curtain was dropped to prepare for the advent of "WILLIAM TELL." The curtain was evidently run up again too soon, for Linma, Tell's wife (Miss Taperell), had a very awkward wait on the stage doing nothing. William Tell (Mr T Wrigley) was greeted with applause on making his appearance, his get-np being very good. Ha acted the part well, and in his song "Lah-de-dah" received a very hearty encore. Miss Beaufort made a very charming Albert, and her delineation of this character won her much applause. The great Gesler was represented by Mr Girdlestone, and his perilous trip across the mountains, his interview with the bear (who was well represented by Mr J. F. Ward), and the scene on the battlements were all well acted, and met wiili much applause. His local song on the Town Trustees also received approbation. Saruem (Mr Coker) would have been thoroughly successful had the stage been large enough for his hat, but with this he was ever in difficulties. His acting of the part, however, and his business were thoroughly up to the mark, and could not be found fault with. The other characters incidental to the piece were well filled, Yerner, Tells' friend, by Mr Taperell; Rodolph, a warrisr in-the hud, Mr G. Ward ; Lutfold, one of the body guards, Mr Flewellyu; and several peasants, &o. Although the acting and business throughout the piece were good, it did not run as smoothly as it should havs done, too much prompting bain" apparent, The thunder and lightning, though possibly not en intended, created hearty laughter among the audience, the growling of the bear being far superior to the roll of the thunder,

The piece was well mounted, the scenery painted by Mr Tom Donelly, deservedly receiving a round of applause. The music by Mrs Palmer was all that could be wished, and the local jokes and allusions-of which there were a great number, nearly every person, and institution, of note in the town, coining in fur a word or two-created a great deal of lun. The desperate broadsword combat between Tell and Gesler—which closed the piece—was well curried out, and Gesler rail through to the satisfaction of all concerned. The entertainment concluded with a chorus and dance by the full company. Another entertaimeiit vill be given next Tuesday, when I hey will no doubt secure a still larger house.