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THE COM US DRAMATIC CLUB'S PERFORMANCE.

The second performance of the season, given by the Comus Club, came off in the Oddfellows' H.ill, Hamilton East, on 'UmricUy night. Unfortunately the weather towards evening was very broken, and, in consequence, the attendance was not so large as the entertainment deserved. This is the more to be regretted because wo understand that a considerable amount has been, since the last performauce, expended on the necessary scenery and other effects, the cost of which, it was intended, the proceeds should cover. This object, it is to be feared, will not be attained to the full. The front seats were all occupied, but the back seats were only partially filled. The audience, was, however, a thoroughly appreciative one. The performance consisted of the domestic drama "One H'indred Thousand Pounds," by the author of " Our Boys." It will not be necessary for us to enter into an examination of the merits of the piece as a composition ; it is, as the name of the author would indicate, full of interest, and, together with much lively dialogue, contains situations sufficiently striking to win the attention of the audience. It may seem presumptuous to say even this much of a play which ran for a long season in London with so much success, but we arc considering it j'ist now in the light which it appeared to us on Thursday evening, and in the hands of amatour.s. With tlip exception that the pathetic, and in some instances the serious comedy is not pronounced enough for amateur*, the transition from light to shade being, if we may use the expression, too subtle, " One Hundred Thousand Pound-*" is a piece which amateurs might, with care, always make a success. It is ceitain that the Comus Club succeeded ; and, after the manner in which former representations were produced, this was not surprising". The characters woro all fairly sustained, in several cases admirably so ; from Joe Barlow to tho servants little indeed was wanting that could have rendered the affair more complete or more enjoyable. The rolv of Mrs B nlow was sustained by a lady who by her efforts has done very much to make the Comus Club tho success it is. The character is one that makes much demand ou the impersouatvess, being that of a goodnatured, impulsive, and ignorant-ot-the-world sort of woman, with tears, smiles, and sharp retorts «it her command. No allowances are, however, required ; the impersonation was almost faultles ; there was no trace whatever of hurry ; ho straining after effect, but a simply natural peiee of acting which fairly won the applause of the whole audience. Tho part of Alice B.irlow, the young girl who is in love, is jilted and finally, when everything comes right, marries the right person — the hero — was Avell sustained. Jane Plover and Arabella Pell, the gossiping acquaintance of Mrs Barlow were admirably pourtray ed, the former by a lady who has shone in far better parts, and the latter I by a young gentleman who made on Thurs- ! day his debut on the stage, and promises to be ol value. Of the male characters we shall not, we think, be invidious if we give the palm to Mr A. Swarbrick for his splendid representation of old Joe Barlow, the "ile and colorman." In character pieces of t'viis eccentric type, " Mr Swarbrick may be said to revel : his acting is always finished ; there is no slurring; care and attention, so requisite, are never wanting. The golden opinions which this gentleman won by his impersonation of Jasper Plum and the old gardener in " Checkmate," will not, we think, bo endangered by his efforts in " £100,000." Mr Tmne's Major Blackshaw was admirable ; in the scene with Goodwin, in the second, act, where he offers his fatherly advice to his moody and passionate fiiend, the air of bupreme nonchalcnce which he assumed waa simply excellent. Mr S. E. G. Smith's j Gerald Goodwin, the hero and lover of the piece, was good, and in many paiis effective, more especially in the declamatory passages. The part is, however, too unequal to bo thoroughly bucoe^sful. Mr J. W. H. WoQ'l.'who made his second appearance on the stag-e j on Thursday mynt, in the part of the fus^y and eccentric lawyer, l'luker, has impiQ}id fully, ;m I ha-. nljcniy f-iUiHol t'.<j [.i-edi-lion wo induced iv regarding hisj Frederick

Plum, namely, that he would at no distant date Tjecoa:e a capable amateur actor. In common with some of the others he enters thoroughly in earnest into the spirit of (he character he undertakes. We mi->take very ranch if his greatest successes aic not yet to come. Mr JFi^ld was immensely good as Penuythorne, the hoiv>ey, tuft-hunting rasc.il, who is the rival of Goodwin in the affections of Alice. Like Mr Swarbrick, Mr Field finds a congenial task in the representation of pronounced types of human nature, mid he is thoroughly at home in them. DrSandes made a hit as Pyefinch, a sentimental and good-natured valet, and th» low comedy part of tho piece. It was done with a thoroughness which loft nothing to be desired. Mr Park in the dual partft of Sir jßumsoy Waters and the bailiff, and Mr W. Tonks* as Charker,. performed the light duties allotted to them very efficiently, and completed, by their carefulness, the symmetery which characteiiacd the whole performance. Considerable credit is due to the committee, tho stage manager (Mr Bell), and the property-man (Mr Park), for the manner in which the play was put upon the st&ge,the scenery, costumes, and mike-up being everything that < ould be desired. During tho intervals Mr Bell played some spirited selections on the pinaforto, and in the second act Mr Tonks sang " Little Brown Jug," with great success, and Mr Smith sang " Tho Rhein Wine," both having to respond to an encore. At the close of the second act the at ige manager, in thanking the audience for their attendance on' a nijjht so disagreeable, took the opportunity to announce that the next performance would consist of Bulwer Lytton's live act comedy encitled " Money," which he hoped would be placed on the boards in the course of a couple of months.

Permanent link to this item
Hononga pūmau ki tēnei tūemi

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/WT18800807.2.8

Bibliographic details
Ngā taipitopito pukapuka

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1265, 7 August 1880, Page 2

Word count
Tapeke kupu
1,035

THE COMUS DRAMATIC CLUB'S PERFORMANCE. Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1265, 7 August 1880, Page 2

THE COMUS DRAMATIC CLUB'S PERFORMANCE. Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1265, 7 August 1880, Page 2

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