AMATEUR DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIII, Issue 1070, 3 May 1879, Page 2

AMATEUR DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE.

The theatrical performance held iji the Cambridge Public Hall, on Tuesday evening, was a great success. The building was completely filled -with a respectable and appreciative audience. The Cambridge Reed Band was in attendance, aud opened the proceedings by playing lively marches, &c. A solo | was then snug by Mr H. Keesinsr. called, "Let me Like a . Soldier Fall." This gentleman has a sweet and powerful voice, but it seemed that it would have been better if he had sang in a lower key His compass seemed more bass than tenor. The song, however, was well sung. Mr Tom Gerrans then sang, " The Burial of Sir John Moore." This young gentleman has a nine voice, with great power, and no doubt will make an excellent amateur vocalist. His sister played the accompanyment, and the song was well rendered. Miss Gerrans then sang, "Jessie's Dream," this touching and pretty solo was givea with exquisite taste aiid, e.xjjres.si(m by tljQ }ady> WJ4

deservedly appreciated. Mr Johnson next I gave, "Life is a River" This gentle- [ ,'mans powerful bass voico sounded to great advantage in this song, and it was vociferously encored. Mr Johnson reI sponded, by giving, " A Fine Old Irish Gentleman," in a manner which brought down the house. An interval of five minutes Avas now declared, during which the band played, and the stage Avas pre- . pared for the performance. The now scenery, paintod by Mr Sam. Keesing, added great effect to tho stage. It represented a French drawiiig-room. The window aud door Avas mado to open and shut, and the pillars and scarlet curtains Avere painted with very great taste. , The whole design and execution reflect great credit on the gentleman who painted them. Mr J. P. Campbell x came .forward as soon as the stage was ready, and read the following Prologue,, on behalf of the Cambridge Dramatic Club :— . Fortune is blind, so says the ancient poet, And some of us there are that know it. The brave it favours, thus another writes, He, to my miud, more near the truth indites; To test the latter, we appear to-night, And your opinions we thereby invite. - Our fortitude Ave show by coming here ; Although with trepidation and in fear. To criticize our acts, our words, our looks, Nay, even to administer rebukes Is in your option, but in doing so, Remember, mercy should with justice go. The fullest, approbation in your eyes, We may not find, but if so, don't despise Our puny efforts, humble though they seem; But should a mild approval on us beam, And in your speaking faces patent be, Then shall we all most heartily agree, The coming prospects of our Club are bright, And seek to tread these boards another night. , These verses were composed by Mr Campbell, and they did him great credit. The curtain Avas then drawn up, and the Act commenced. It was entitled " Tender Precautions," and represented a misunderstanding between Mr and Mrs Gosling, which arose from the confidential servant, Mrs Schonchory with the consent of her mistress opening Mr. Goslings letters. Ihis led to further conxplioations, in which their characters Avere involved, more particularly; Mr Jack Spar is, Avhose former amorous attentions to a certain young lady had led him into difficulties, Avith regard to Miss Lucy Jolyboy dister of Mrs Gosling for whom he avoAvs a decided preference. He takes Mr Gosling into his confidence and a series of misunderstandings takes place. One of the letters Mrs Schonchong opens was to Mr Gosling' from his friends who told him he Avould not be able to meet a certain bill, Avhich was due on the morrow, and asking him to find the money. This Mr Gosling was quite prepared for. Bat he catches the servant reading this letter, she avows that it is to herself. But reposts it, and Mr Cosling does not receive it till next day. In the mean time Scale the bailiff seeds to arrest him on account of the bill. This further complicates the matter. But at last all parties meet and a general explanation takes place, aud all differences are amicably settled. The two principal characters were Mr and Mrs Gosling. These were well represented, first by Mr H. Keesing, as Mr Gosling whoso acting throughout was excellent. The long part he had to take must have given him some trouble to learn, but he carried it through with great success. Mr Sam Keesing as Mrs Gosling, was so well got up in dress and carriage, that no doubt many took him for what he impersonated, a nice youny marriedilady. His part was very well acterf . Mr J. P Campbell as Jack Sparks, performed his difficult and important part, and carried out his character as suitor to Miss Jollyboy, excellently. Mrs Schonchong the confident servant Avas represented by Mr Chappel. His acting in this character was repea.edly applauded, and he looked every inch a decent elderly serving Avoman. Mr Hugh Kirk wood junr., represented Miss Lucy Jollyboy and though not so fortunate iu voice and manner, was splendidly got up and made a very good looking: girl. The acting of Mr. Sanders a3 Admiral Jollyboy was also very good and his get up splendid. Grab the bailiff was Avell represented by Mr Asher, and Mr Chase a jcAveller by Mr Hugos, Mr T. Peek made an excellent flunkey as James, and his dress and furore well suited the character. Mr Moller represented Oapt. Wildbore, who Avas Avell got up and acted his part capitally. But it is invidious to make distinctions, when all did so well. Mr Heaney acted as prompter, a*nd the avliolo passed off without the slightest hitch. The audience signified their approbation by repeatedly applauding the A^arious parts of the act. With such a brilliant start, the Dramatic Club ought to become a successful aud useful insitution, for ' the purpo <e of getting up entertainment for public aud I charitable purposes in Cambridge. " God' SaA'e tho Queen," by 'the Baud, concluded the entertainment. Dancing was afterwards indulged in, aud kept up to any early liqiu' this moiniing.