THESPIAN MEMORIES

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 151, 30 June 1928, Page 17

THESPIAN MEMORIES

WELLINGTON AMATEURS PLAYS OF OTHER DAYS THE PRESS ON THE STAGE ' (Writto-j for "The Post" by H. P,. . ..'■'■ Nicholls.) ■;"''' ,L '\' " ■ Appreciating and sharing the "strong weakness" of humanity for strutting .and fretting its hour upon the stage I make no doubt that there was amateur acting in Wellington from-.the'very first days of the settlement in 1840. But the earliest definite knowledge. I have is of two clubs which wore active in the.late 'sixties and. early 'seventies of lust century: The Volunteer , Amateurs (of whom more anon) and the Press Dramatic Club. Tho latter club, as its name implies, was cliicily recruited from printing and newspaper circles, and numbered in its ranks -many names well known to old AVcllingtouians—Misses Milslead, Portcous, and Williams null Messrs. Caygill, Gamble, Gray, Hunter/.' Holds'wortli, Johnston, Mitchell, ai)tlj Salmon. Two veterans who had had;, stage experience in the Old Country^ Messrs. J. H. Marriott aud J, H Wik Hams—were tlie grave and reverend seigneurs who "coached" the youthful histrions. . • The performances of the club were generally successful, and usually' gained (perhaps not unnaturally) two-column notices from 'the Press. One suelr notice in the "Daily Advertiser" of 27th June. 1871, generously praised a very liberal programme of the preceding evening when Courtney's farce of "The Tw,o Polts," tho domestic drama, "Love in-Humble Life," and Moncricff's old farce "The Spectre Bridegroom were performed, between J vocal solos, duets, and glees, comic songs ("The Eel Pie Shop," "The New Policeman"), recitations, and clarionet duets (Hunter and Macintosh), the accompaniments being admirably done by "Mr. Parker, in whom wo recognise' a musician of ability likely to be a great, acquisition to Wellington musical circles," as the report of that day had it. Most of the performers were praised, but none more so than Messrs. Williams and Marriott. Bo one may imagine with ■what feelings of surprise and horror those two very worthy men read the following outrageous screed in the "Advertiser" of a few days' later date:—- •■■ ■"' V : ' "THEATRICAL PANTALOONS." "To the-Editor of the . 'Dally "Advertiser.:1— fair, —I see by your columns that tlio young and promising;amateur company which has already gained'laurels for Itself, is to appear again very shortly. .As a lover of the drama, and a ouce professional wearer of. the-sock and buskin, let roe givo tho new company a word of advice. ,lt is to depend upon themselves, and dispense with the assistance of those antiquated scarecrows, Messrs. Marriott and Williams, who, having once, some years ago, been engaged as scene shifters or banner bearers. ,in some ' low London theatre, fancy themselves privileged to talk of Macready and Kcan, to act their parts, and. to give themselves airs. Under such tuition the acting of tho most promising amateurs will soon bocome tame, stilted, and unnatural —they will soon come, to iregard burlesque as comedy, pantomime as expression, swagger as ease. ' Let tlm amateurs depend upon themselves Sir. The public of Wellington has for more than a score of years been tired .with the ravings and mouthings of. an antiquated whipping-post, and the cracked quaverings, tho (llslual comicalities; and absurd heroics .of another wellknpyrn representative of a period of life [ between the sixth und soventh ages described by Jaques in "As You Like It." It is time that each of these Individuals were addressed in the words used by Honry the Fifth to-Fal-stalT: "Fall to they prayers; how ill whito hairs become a. fool s ai«l jester."—l am, etc., . BAItDOLPH. After a day-to got breath.from this egregious attack, Mr. Williams replied as under:— . : ' '■ :. A CHALLENGE. To the Editor of the "Daily Advertiser. 11 — Sir, —I havo resided in Wellington for nearly twenty years, and during that long period have never received from the public, or through the medium of the Press, any complaint of my conduct as a citizen, and of my mental ability the public are'the best judges. But the scurrilous personal attack made upon me by your correspondent, "Bardolph," ■ renders a few words necessary, and as tho courtesies and etiquette of pollto sotiicty would evidently be thrown away upon him I will reply in his own style. I therefore challenge him to throw off his norn de plume of "Bardolph" and boldly proclaim himself, or I shall characterise him as a low pot-house toper, acting-as the tool of some double-dyed scoundrel, whose conduct lias proved him unworthy of all who do' not delight in lying, slandering, and evil speaking. ; Apologising for trespassing on your valuable space,— l am, etc., J. H. WILLIAMS. 6th July, 1871. Mr. Marriott's reply which appeared in the "Daily Advertiser" of tho Bth July was much more lengthy than that of Mr. Williams's, but was comparatively feeble. More than two-thirds of it was devoted to (1) exposing the ignorance of "Bardolph" as to the importance of banner-bearers onthe stage and (2) to a long extract »ffom Falstaffi's address to Bardolph in "Henry tho Fourth" wherein his fiery nose, his quenchless thirst and his thievish propensities, arc wittily emphasised. The letter concludes: — Such . was Shakespeare's Bardolph. Should tho modern one bo a typo of tho past it will no doubt account for tho several mysterious tires that havo taken- place (ia Wellington) of lato. I would advise tho new policeman to havo a sharp look-out for him. Let the members of tlie Press Dramatic Club, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest tho above. Holding in sovereign contempt the remarks of any of the Bardolph tribe, and deeming it the duty of every well-regulatod citizen to give his aid, however small that aid may be, to his less fortunate neighbour, I shall ever consider it my duty whilst I am a denizen of Wellington, to assist in what I humbly consider a holy work;—l am, etc., .. ' ' .I.' 11. MARRIOTT. Whether Bardolph's brut?.lly-ex: pressed strictures were in anyway justified I cannot say, as I never saw either -Mr. Marriott or Mr. Williams, "on the boards." But I knew the former old gentleman a 1 year, or so later and found him a well-read man and a great enthusiast for the drama. , He' remembered tho elder Kean, and ' also Macready and Charles Kcan. His daughter, Miss Marriott, was for many years a"star" on the English stage— her great speciality being "Hamlet, Prince of Denmark," of which character she -was'admitted by the best critics to be a fine exponent. ' , Tlu Volunteer Amateurs wero found: cd about 1870. With few exceptions its .members were drawn from tho ranks of tlio famous "D" Battery of Artillery, to which it was my honour, as a humble i gunner, to;'belong in tho mid '70 's. Prominent Volunteer Amateurs were E. T. Gillon (then Editor of. the. "Evening Post"),; Eustaco Do Bathe Brandon,' Walter Hartwright, H. M. Lyon, W. D. Lyon, W. E. Bock, A. P. Mason, D. T. Stuart, Constantino Zohrab. J. Nanearrow, and Jacob. Montcith. .The ladies who assisted were chiefly drawn from tho professional ranks. Tho club lasted for some six or seven years, and during that period pieces both grave and gay were played with varying success, such as "The Hunchback," "The Honeymoon," "The School .for Scandal," "The Critic," and "Money," I tho high-water mark perhaps1 being reached in 1873 with a performance of Bulwcr Lytton's "Kicholieu," given as a complimentary benefit to Mr. William Hoskins. That well-graced actor played the Cardinal and Miss Florence Colville (Mrs. Hoskins) Julio do Mortcmar. From a photographic group

! taken by Davis I note that in addition to Hoskins. himself, Gillon, Hartwright, Brandon, Stuart, Zo-hrab, Mason, Mouteith, Nnncarrow,.aud Boekwcro in tho east..Of the.many good men and.truo niinied abovo only one, I tliink, is still with us—Mr. W, R.Bock, who at the1, age- of .80 is.yet going strong, and as enthusiastic, a .lover' of tho drama .as I over, tliough since tho. demise of tho Shakespeare -Club he lias made no appearance on. tho stage or platform. Tho photograph consists .of-portraits in. eostumo. of those taking part in "Richoj lieu." The portrait ofHoskins is in ,'tlic centre, the- others are arranged round him. Tho php;ographs .vero all enrte-de-visite size, and coloured with; miniatureiiko.dolicac" A?us, the faces, although small, are uiearly recognisable, but I understand that. the. pictures are too faint for--reproduction'-in tho tPxt of this article. '•• ' ■ ■ My own amateurism dates if rom 1877, though as a youngster'l'delighted in a toy^theatre.. But :it was not until ■' 1877 that, as a niembei :of the Shakespearian circle of the St.-, John 's Literary . As-, sociation- (then.'presided over by1 that great- Christian, gentleman, the late Rev. James Patcrson), I took part in a number of scenes from. Shakespeare, my chief characters being Antonio and Gratiano in "Tho Merchant of Veirice," Brutus'hi\'''Julius Caesar," Ho ratio iii ■"Hamlet;." 'and.Bully Bottom, in "A Midsummer- Night's Dream," These, scenes, were acted but without stage, costumes, or seenie accessoriesOther members of .that circle- were Messrs.. J. E. Read,-.lt. W. Brown, William Miller, Kalph.'Kenncr, ' William I Hopkirk, George■'■•'Alip'dr-rJ' arid 'George :M'LenH. ■';. ./-, .-■_.. • i ;-, ■■. -•■ ■ THE "PATCHWORKS: " /<.-'/About* 1871)''"The. Patchwerk Com■ipany.".w.as i formed, tire .chipf .members of "which wei'6 Messrs.,; Harold (now Sir. Harold) Beauchamp/'RoboTt-'' Hp.Uiday, Robert Gant, F. W. Haybittky C. J. Hill, J. W. Hill, E. J.. Hill, C. J. M. Edwards, John. Prouse, and J. M. Clark. The programmo usually consisted of a Christy .Minstrel first Part (of prime vocal quality with John Prouso, Charley Edwards, and Ted. and Jack Hill to contribute the sentimental songs and concerted numbers), and a. musical-comedy "sketch" as'an afterpiece. In the sketch ; the ladies', parts were sustained,, and well sustained, by Messrs! Beauchaihp, Gai.it, and Holliday —amateur actresses not being readily available in those Victorian days. The "Patchwork Company" was really one of high dramatic and-inus--ical talent, and its performances were always successful.;. Occasionally tho company would- niake'•-excursion to. Blenheim, Nelson, Wanganui, and Foxtnn, and play for. soni,e..local, .charity. Mr. E.-- J. .Hill: can,tell some amusing stories of these excursions, particularly of one to Foxton, where, a grand' Christmas dinner had been prepared •by the local committee-in. .'honour .of tho "Patchworks;" but at which none of tho unlucky thespians .could swallow, a morsel owing: to the frightful tossiugup tho old "Jane Douglas" had.given one anil a11.0i1., the stpnny. trip, from 'Wellington. ;;. ' '." " „'.''. Early iJi l.SSO'a' IJencfit- performance was arranged by-J."E. Read and myself in aid of tho widow, and': family, of a vo>untecr named Donald, who had been accidentally, killed .at ..the rillo butts, Tho play of, our..'aiiibitious' choice was Bnlwer ■Lytton's'"ijady rot. .Lyons," and was -jointly "produced;" as the phrase now ..is, by,.; Jimmy, Read and myself./ With us"in .the .-.cast wore 'Messrs;''W. '.'EI Euller,.,E.. ".3. Cha-twin, Cyrus- WebTi,' and' four professionals— Mr. and"Mrs,.- Neville 'Thornton, Miss Amy Thornton; and Mrs. Iveclcy. Mr. Read was -the Claude-Mclnott-e, Miss Thornton Pauline ■■Deschapelles,, and myself the villain,'. Beause.ant. Almost tho only line of ''."•my1..- part remaining with mo is part'of. the villain's final curse, "Maytliorns^bo'.planted-iii your marriagoVbe-a!I,' whicli . struck .me as beinw more, comic: than dramatic, l)Ut which yet,' I; trust,. 1 "delivered with tragic intensity. In the course of the play Cyrus Webb, a confirmed joker and larrikin, had to say, "Are we slaves, we peasants?" ■He ma do a bet with one of the cast that he; would say, ' Are wo slaves,^ we pheasants?" without being "spotted'/,by either audience or critics. He won .his bet.' "Tho Lady of Lyons" was a great success, and we haxt the pleasuro of

handing over something .between ninety and a hundred pounds to the widowed Mrs. Donald. •'■;,;.■•' THE WELLINGTON A.D.O. j Fired with this success-we; decided to form a club, and iii February, 1880, The. Wellington Amatour.Dramatic Club came-into being. The original members were myself, J*.. E.-liead, J. M. Clark, Cyrus Wcbb,F.' W. Haybittle, W. E. Fuller', and; 11: W-.'-Brown. To those were shortly, afterwards added Herbert Bridge, C. R, Bailey, li. J. Chatwin, Morris Fox, W. D. *Lyon, E. G. Pilcher, and 0. H. Pinel, Read was first-, manager and- myself first secretary and treasurer. Soon after the founding ox.the W.A'D.C. the "Patchworks" disbanded, and most of the prominent members'joined tlio new club —the three Hill' .brothers. .("Tea," "Jack, and "Charley"), 0. J. M. Edwavds, and Robert ("Bob") Gant — giving it a great increase of artistic strength. -In' addition to tho above the following ladies aiid gentlemen belonged to the club at various times during tho more tli i eleven years of its existence as a separate body: Misses Alexander, Augustus, Ebba Bannister, Mrs. Carte, Mrs. Caz.enau, Misses Crompton, Francis, Lily ' Grant (Mrs. Woolcott), "Car" Letham (Mrs.'Rcnnie), Newton, Parsons (Mrs. Russell), E. Pilcher, Price, Quin, Mrs. Sam Robinson, Misses A. Letham. (Mrs. J. A.; Thomson), -Staples, (Mrs. Malcolm), Watson, "Lun" -Wat-son (Mrs. Forsyth),'Mrs. Frank Wills, Miss Lena Wyatt' (Mrs. Marter), and Messrs. W. Corliss, Derry, Eversleigli, Gaskill, Griffin ("Sam Benson"), A. H, Hasscll, Walter Haybittle, Alfred Hill, Fred Jones, Cecil -Keyworth, J. N. Kibblowhite, F. G. Kimbell, -—.' M'Donald, Harry Marshall, Charley. Marter, Alec. Newton, Herbert Pilcher, George Robertson, Sam Robinson, Russell, "Tommy" Saycrs, E. Ilindle Smith, Robert. Stansfield, J. E. Wales, i.and .L. C. Woolcott. -.■ - ■' ■ ■■- . The leader of the orchestra throughout was Mr. C. J". Hill, and many of 'the leading Wellington "instrumental-, ists gladly assisted.'the ' club gratuitously under Mr. Hill's! baton. The club for several years" maintained a cot in '.the". Wellington Hospital. It played-"/only for charity or for,, some public ;institution, ' - (To be continued.).