TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2481, 5 June 1888, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

The Piuatkh of Penzance.—The performance of this piece by the Theatre Royal Company, which was looked forward to tor a long time with pleasurable anticipation by the public, was given in the hail ou Wednesday evening. The interest was greatly increased by the reports circulated of its success at Alexandra, reports which Wednesday evening's performance amply verified. It was a decided success in every sense of the word, both in histrionic ability and financially. Notwithstanding the muddy roads and very cold night the house was well tilled, £18 bjing the receipts. Several who went to see it at Alexandra declared they were agreeably surprised, for they did not expect such good acting from auiatems, and one who saw it played in Auckland by professionals said there was not that difference there should have been between amateurs and professionals. Consequently we went prepared to see something good, and were not disappointed. There was a change in the caste here, the of " Sam " (formerly played by Mr E. Aubin), being taken by Mr J nines Taylor, of Te Kahu, who deserves praise for doing his part so well with only five days' practice. The character of Ruth was particularly well sustained by Mrs Long, whose acting showed that she thoroughly entered into the spirit of the part. As daughters of the Major - Geueral, Mrs Gresham, Mrs Andrew, Misses Allen, I'inch, Hunt, Wilson, Steel, Fielder, and 15. Scorey were charming. Miss Allen's voice was heard to groat advantage that evening, her rendering of the song " Poor Wandering One '' was exceedingly good. As the Majorgeneral, Mr Gresham, was quite in his element he did full justice to the character. His '• patter song," in which, with astonishing rapidity, he enumerated all his wonderful attainments and announced the fact tliat he was the " very pattern of a modern Major-General," was exceedingly amusing ; but what made thebest hit with the audience were his remorse andtears for having stained tlie escutcheon of his ancestors (by purchase) by having told the pirates a falsehood, his simulated grief and.tlu assiduous attentions of his nine daughters in drying his tears called forth hearty applause and laughter. Mr Lamb as the Pirate King, was inimitable, his "get up" as well as that of the whole of his piratical crew was so perfect in point of disguise that they were not recognisable. Mr Clark, as " Frederick," played his part to perfection, and as he has a tine tenor voice, his acting was doubly appreciated. His duet with Mabel was loudly applauded. Miss Allen who took the latter character, has already earned for herself a good reputation for histrionic ability, and her acting on Wednesday, fully sustained her good name. Miss Finch is also another local favourite, and made the most of the character of Edith. Mr Rigg as Sergeant of Police, did his part exceedingly well. Mr Hawke, as the funny policeman, displayed a considerable amount of humour. The policemen were all stalwart fellows, and were properly attired as " peelers" with helmets, big coats, batons, and dark lanterns. The uniform of the MajorGeneral was gorgeous, the costumes of the pirates were very picturesque, but by far the most effective was Ruth's, (Mrs Long.) The pretty dress and exceedingly good acting of this lady niado the character very popular with the audience. The Major General's daughters were all very nicely dressed, the most tasteful being in our opinion that worn by Mrs Gresham. Many predicted a failure, as it was thought the piece would be too much for amateurs, but the prophets were all agreeably disappointed, the hearty applause showing that the performance was thoroughly appreciated. Some visitors from Cambridge who went to Alexandra to the first performance were present on Wednesday evening, and as the Company purpose play ing in Cambridge on Wednesday week the visitors from there intend going again, so that they have a good opinion of the acting. The whole piece went on smoothly, save for one mistake at the end. The struggle scene between the police and the pirates was encored, and the encore responded to. Such a thing interrupts the course of the play, and is apt to create confusion. It gives one the impression that a hitch has occurred. The scenic artist deserves credit, for with the necessarily limited materials at his disposal in a country district he acquitted himself very well. The accompaniments were most ably played by Mrs Helpes, piano, and Mr T. Goodfellow, violin.