COMUS DRAMATIC CLUB PERFORMANCE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIV, Issue 1231, 20 May 1880, Page 2

COMUS DRAMATIC CLUB PERFORMANCE.

To morrow evening the members of the Comas Dramatic Club will give the first of this> season's entert linments in the fine new hall lately erected by the Oddfellows', in Hamilton East. The programme will consist of the comic Dr.una "All that Glitters is not Gold," and the comedietta "Checkmate," the two pieces introducing the whole of the acting- members. It will perhaps be well to briefly sketch the leading characters of the two plays, leaving the details to unfold themselves to the audience on the spot. The plot of ••All thai Glitters" is laid in the ancient city of Bristol, and the scenes are all included in the house of one Jasper Plum, a wealthy cotton spinner The proprietor who has raised himself by his own industry, not unnaturally developes certain unamiable traits of character and disposition, above all which is a hungering after greatness. Of his two sons, one Stephen, who has been bred a cotton spinner is rough and honest and manly, while Frederick who has been* to college is a spirited honorable gentlemanly young fellow, whose only failing isone he holds in common with his father — an affection for rank and title. It would no"; be surprising therefore to find him at the outset engaged to the niece of an Earl, in the person of the charming Lady Valeria, whose aunt, Lady Loatherbridge, a do yager of the old school, and proud withal, 100k 8 on the match with favorable eyes, on account of the golden prospect. Stephen disdaining all arbitrary distinction of rank, entertains a fervent affection for one of his father's employees, Martha Gibbs, probably the most interesting character in the piece, Sir Arthur La<-sell, the " naughty man" of the play is, though an unlovable, anything but an uninteresting character, and in the events which quickly succeed each other, plays no nnimportant part. He is a lazy rascal of the gentlemanly kind, who'-e ruling principle isNo. 1. Joly Swindle, who isthe body guard of Stephen, is an excessively funny and an excellently good fellow. Of the minor impersonations nothing need be said. "Checkmate," while it resembles the other in nothing else, bears a likeness to it in this, that it is full of interest, and with ordinary success is sure of a good reception. The chief character is undoubtedly that of Sam Winkle, who more resembles Sam Weller than anyone else we can think of. With much of the great Sam's wit and power of repartee, he possesses an extravagant opinion of his own abilities, and is ready to undertake the duties of any office, from that of groom down to that of Admiral of the Channel Fleet. Charlotte Russe is a sweet, amiable young lady, with plenty of common sense and a thorough detestation of deceit, and with a nice little fortune to boot. Martha Bunn is a very princess of a lady's maid, and, like Sam, would, if called upon, play any part in the social world not denied to key sex. Sir Everton Toffee is perhaps as nearly related iv character to Charlotte as Martha is to barn. He is a very undemonstrative and singularly high-minded youngbaronet. The Waiter, Strap, and Cheeks are all essential personages and contribute much to the success of the comedy. It will only be necessary to say that Sir Everton falls in love with Charlotte and Sam with Martha to prove the truth of the remarks we made at the beginning, to the effect that the piece Avas full of interest. We have purposely left out all reference to the doioiinnaita of the plots, which we leave to discover themselves to the large audience which we hope to see to-morrow night.