CAMBRIDGE DRAMATIC SOCIETY.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1595, 23 September 1882, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE DRAMATIC SOCIETY.

The difficulties which beset amateurs of the sock and buskin in their efforts at representation are well-known to those who have made the attempt, and the general public are often made aware of the existence of these difficulties by the painful results which are, too often, produced. In this respect we, however, take leave to say, the Waikato is particulary fortunate. Dramatic performances, many of exceptional merit, and none particularly bad, aie of frequent occurrence. Of these, the entertainments of the Cambridge Dramatic Society rank in the highest place. Nothing could well be better in the way of amateur acting than the two performances already given by this club. The second, consisting of the comedietta, " Cool as a Cucumber," and the farce, •' Turn Him Out," was given at the Public Hall on Wednesday evening. The hall, which was very tastefully decorated, was filled by a most appreciative audience; It is not our intention to criticise the entertainment in detail. It may fairly be assumed that all did their best, and if auy one is specially deserving of praise it is the stage manager (Mr Forrest), to whom is due the credit of having brought the company to such a state of proficiency. Having said this, none of the others will, we think, feel aggrieved if one word is added in commendation of Mr Forrest's acting in the roles of " Plumper" and " Nicodemus Nobbs." Mr Forrest's forte is undoubtedly low comedy, but his clever impersonation of the " cool" individual created by Charles Mathews, shows that he can, if necessary, take a higher flight. Messrs Archer and Cotton were particularly funny in the farce, and Mr Hamlin's " Old Barkins" provoked considerable mirth. Mr Moore had a somewhat thankless part as " Fred Barkins," but performed it creditably. The ladies were exceptionally good, a fact which the society may be congratulated upon. The Cambridge Band, which formed the orchestra, played a number of selections during the evening in good style. The e&terfcainment on the whole may be voted a thorough success. The proceeds will go to the wardrobe fund of the society, which we believe will be thus greatly augmented.