THE COMUS DRAMATIC CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2593, 23 February 1889, Page 2

THE COMUS DRAMATIC CLUB.

« (by dkamatkjus.) Phi: old Comus Dramatic Club, which some time back usi>.;l to cater so well for the amusement (if the Hamilton public, was recently revived through the energy of Mr A. Swarbrick. The Oddfellow's Hall, Hamilton East, has been refitted, and the stage appointments and proscenium improved so that the defectivenoss of the acoustic properties have been to a great extent remedied. For some weeks past the Club had been in severe training for an opening entertainment, several new amateurs having to make their first appearance on the boardii. Taylor's two acts' drama " Helpiucr Hands " was selected to be given on Thursday last, and tho public were on the tip-toe of expectation for the event, and a very good house was obtained to witness thd performance, ssovor.il visitors from Cambridge and To Awamutu being amongst tho audience. The play is a high-tihiss one, and by no moans easy of production in a small country town. The plot represents an old violinist, Lorentz Hartmann, with his only child and devoted daughter Margaret, living iu very reduced circumstances in lodgings in London. The old man's whole soul is filled with love for music, and he is more passionately attached to his instrument—a rare old Htradivarms—than to his patient daughter, in his declining years he had been compellod to take to the streets togetaliving with his violin, accompanied by Margaret. The exposure affected her health, but she bore it patiently, and now her father had been crippled with rheumatism and was blind, and could no longer play his cherished "feed'le " sat up late at nights copying, and gained in that way a little means to supply the old man's wants, whilst her own health continued to fail. They got in arrears with their rent, and a scano ensues between Margaret and tho hard-hearted landlady, Mrs Booty, who, notwithstanding " as she had soen bettor days, Mum," eliowed no pity for the poor old man and his gentle daughter, but calls in the Jews and soils them out. Two cunning Hebrews, Isaac Wolff ani his ooiidjutor, Laz.irus Solomon, come iu to appraiso the slender chattels, and, of course, vastly under value them, including the rare Stradivarius, by which alums they hnpe to make a cool "Two hundred." But friends were coming to their aid and "helping hands'' from an unexplained quarter wore held out to save them. Mrs Booty's maid-of-all-work, :i . simple-niiiidßd but kind-hear-ted ci caturo from the Workhouse, took Margaret's pint, that "dear hmigel," aud with this aid of an old Maine, Shockey, also formi'.ilv from tho 'Ouso but now a reformed waif and a member of tho red-coated Shoeblack Brigade, they niiin.tgo to outwit the .Tews. SliucUny has ten pounds nf his own in sovereigns, an amount of wealth that gives Tildiia tremendous idea of his importance. He satisfies the claim of tho relentless Mrs Buvty, aud iwchaees tho leaat ajj4

he are. old acquaintances, anil the disgusted old Jew has to pay dmvn f 1 r>o for the hddle, wliicli he means f> sell »t ont-o tn Lord Ouavorley, whiihiis a era/.e for collecting fiildles. In the meantime a young doctor, who also lodges in tho same house, pays attention to Marptarnt, and Rives her and her father medical advice, and snoli help as he can aHord. He is in lovo with Margaret, and in aucoptcd by her as a suitor. Hhe ih also noticed by Hon. Calverly Hautlx.is, who induces liis sister-in-law, Lady to send for her with a viow to employing her. Sho and her blind father &> to Lord Qnavorl.iy'a house, and happen to be there nl the same time that the c.-nfty baac is negotiating with his lordship for the bl-radi-vif-ius. Here old ilart.iiuinn. who had been heartbroken at the loss of his " feed'le," reco«niae3 "him" nnd calls for his beloved instrument. Shockoy, with Tilda, appear nn the scene, and spoils Isaac s httln game. Dr Morton, who saves Lord IJiiaverley s huir from croup, is presented vilh a fiddle, which ho restores to old Hartmann, whilst Shockcy also hands him the £150 previously obtained from the Jew, and pleads for forgiveness for selling it "all on account of Miss Margaret." Then the old man first realises his daughter's devotion and is willing to sacrifice his precious " feed'le " to enable them to go to a warmer climate for her sake. But even that sacrifice is no longer necessary and all ends well, even Shock»y and Tilda making a mutual arrangement with each other. Of the performance itself we enn safely say it exceeded all expectations. The acting was admirable, and tho drama was played throughout without any serious hitch. Mr. A. Swnrbiick, an tho old n.usician, was perfect not only in his delineation of the character :.s intended by tho author, but also m tho difficult work of sustaining the broken English in which he spoke. His loving apostrophe of Ins cherished fjtrndivarius, when praising it to tho unappreciativo Hautbois, and his impassioned outburst on learning of its sale aa well as when he again discovered it in Lord Quaverley's house were very fine acting, far above tho ordinary run of amateurs He possesses the true dramatic instinct. Ihe lady amateur who was cast for the part of Tilda, acted th'j character true to life, she could not have been surpassed and sho threw herself so thoroughly into the spirit of tho character cho represented that it at once won for her a brilliant success and gave undoubted evidence of the possession of innate histrionic powers. And this was the first time she hiid e\er been mi the stage. in the slatternly, unkempt, slipshod, tattored and dirty girl, it would bo difficult to reciguiso tho lady who performed the part so well. Margaret Hurtmanii was a difficult lu'.o for a young novice to take, but here also the cast was admirably judgnl. The yomiK hidy played her part remarkably well, her delineation of the character of the gentle and affectionate daughter was faultless and secured for her gulden laurels. Her enunciation was clear and distinct, and Imr manner ladylike. Though the part was heavy, and she'was unassisted by any stage disguise, she proved her capabilities for such characters as btting her peculiar fmti, and the control of her nerves under a tiying ordoal. Mrs Bootey, as the high-handed unfeeling landlady, who is down on poor struggling lodgers and cringingto the, "iglier classes, ' "seeing a* she had seen hefter <J:iy.»-," was uxciedi'iigiy well represented, the lady who took the cast coming in fora huge share of applause fur tho true rendering of the character. The most unique character, side by side with that of Tildn, was Shockuy, in which MiMr E. Forbes was really inimitable. Without him tho play would have benn shorn of much of its attractions. His acting was uleur and true and the audience were convulsed. As a low comedian faw amateurs can excel him, that being particularly his line in the dramatic ait. His get up was a little faulty, the colour of his hair being nted. Dr. Keuiiy.as the grasping, crafty Jew dealer was capital. His get up was characteristic, oxcept tho complexion, which was Jiardly Jewish, but tho ivi.se was all there. He also had not quite mastered the idiomatic style of expression, peculiar to the low Jews. In every other respect his rendei ing of the part was admirable, cool and self-pns-sessorl. Wo can, sincerely, compliment him on his performance. Mr Stevens, as Dr. Morton, was not altogether a success. His role did not appear to suit him, and though ho know his part, well, he was the most unlover-like stage lover wo have seen ; and with such a charming girl, too, ready to accept his affectionate advances ! Mr M. Hume, as Lazarus Solomon, had not much to do. He has yet to overcome the timidity of the ueg'hir.er and deliver himw.lf with more deliberation and n.ore freely, after which he will do well as nn actor. Mr T. G. Sandes as Lord Qnaverly nnd Mr L. Ciissen. as Hon. Cnheily Hautbois, are very old favourites wit.li us and wet need not say much on their buhalf except that they performed their parts judiciously, although the former evidently did u»t feel at Ihhikin his character, and the hitter had not had sufficient rehearsal in his. The play occupied two hours in duration and at its termini tion the ooni: faica "Tho Area Belle." was successfully p'vfoi me.d. In this another lady amateur shone, as Penelopfi, tho vivacious littlo flirt of tho kitchen with her "dairy" full of her lovers' names. Tho young lady who acted tho part of Margaret in the previous drama, appeared in this play in the character of Mrs Croaker, the " missus," and rendered it in a most creditable manner. Mr A. Swarbrick was Tosser. the soldier, and Mr T. G. Kamie- , , t!:o policeman..-, u>l they performed their p; y s very well. Mr P. Stevens was Chalks, tho milkinai', another and more successful suitor for the lively Te.ne.lope. and in this ho was more au fait in his part than in the drama. Great credit is duo to Mr Swarbrick for the pains he took in coaching his untried pupils, and tho great success achieved by them speaks volumes for his judgment and training. The public were so delighted with this that they will be looking out for the next performance, which will, we believe, tako place in about a month's time. The orchestral music was supplied by Messrs Council (pian"), J. S. Jvlgecumbe ('cello), and Dr. Murch (violin), and was most praiseworthy.