DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE AT KIHIKIHI. Opening of the New Hall.

Waikato Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1509, 7 March 1882, Page 2

DRAMATIC PERFORMANCE AT KIHIKIHI. Opening of the New Hall.

Tjie new ball at Kihikihi Las now been completed, and it would seem as if the committee have spared neither exertion nor expense in making their work both satisfactory to the general public and creditable to themselves. Though the contract for the erection of the hall was completed some time ago, there still remained a considerable amount of work to be done before the building could be available for dramatic eutertainments and such like purposes, and consequently the committee deemed it advisable to proceed with the erection of a stage, with the necessary fittings and scenery,at as early a date as possible. When work is undertaken with earnestness, and by men bent on the completion of their task, success necessarily follows. This apparently has been the case with the Kihikihi Town Hall, from the manner in which they have erected their hall, and the taste they have displayed in fitting up the interior. The stage is admirable. The hall, which was built at a cost of £300, is in keeping with the progressive character of the district, being spacious, well-ventilated, and lighted. The stage fittings, which have been put together by Mr Coopex*, would do credit to a more pretentious building. A door opens at either side of the stage into separate dressing rooms, oue for ladies and the other for gentlemen. A well-designed verandah, forming a sort off portico, imparts a somewhat finished appearance to the front of the hall. The cost of these extras being considerable, the committee, in thinking over the best possible way to liquidate their debt, came to the conclusion that a dramatic performance, being somewhat of a novelty, should be given. A club was immediately formed,consisting of a number of the ladies -and gentlemen of the district, and soon a couple of good pieces were ready for the boards. The entertainment of Friday evening last consisted of Buckstone's comic drama, entitled " A Rough Diamond," and the farce, entitled "A %Regular Fix," by Maddison Morton. The' characters in " A Rough Diamond," 'which, was first put on the stage, were sustained by Mr A. C. Elmsly as Lord Plato, Mr J. Allen as Sir WUliain Evergreen, Mr 0. Empson as Captain Augustus Blenheim, Mr G^. E. Cooper as. Cousin 1 Joe.' Plato and were yery^'qreditably sustained by lady amateurs; particularly so that of Margery, every, feature, in ,-the character ' being "^ ' faithfully fi^b'rOTghi; r forward. J(^tem^AugaB|nV'^Bl^eim was- well ..§HStame4 liy'MvflEmp^on^ asTw^re;. the^ .other >h^ra^#^:^ Thp 4k*°§ ''A'

as entertaining as the drama, the various roles being more within the scope of amateurs. The acting of Mr Benge as Hugh de Brass was good in every respect. His full delivery and entertaining style were much appreciated. Mrs Garter was also a well sustained character. The other characters, Charles, by Mr Nicolaon, Smiler, by Mr A. 0. Elmsly, Emily, by a lady amateur, Mitilda Jane, Mr Surplus, by Mr Cooper, Quick, by Mr C. Empson, and Mrs Surplus being represented in a very creditable manner. There was an entire absence of nervousness and blundering features which are excusable in amateurs, and the dresses and general " get up" of the various characters were almost faultless. The audience isa»nifested their appreciation by freqjjgin^ap-. plause and bouquets. After the fipateftainment the hall was cleared for dMcing, and a large number of the young people enjoyed themselves up to a late hour, the music being contributed by a few of the members of the Te Awamntu Band under Mr Siblcy, assisted by Messrs Clough and Goodfellow.