DICKENS FELLOWSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 112, 7 November 1935, Page 14

DICKENS FELLOWSHIP

Charming Hall was crowded ■ with members and visitors attending the November meeting of the Dickens Fellowship on Tuesday night, and all present showed warm appreciation for the well-arranged programme. Captain M, S. Galloway (president) presided, and Mrs. N. Cruttenden carried out'the secretarial duties. . ;;:. ' .

Appreciation was expressed on behalf, of the Red Cross Society to the Dickens Dramatic' Branch in connection with, the recent successful recitals produced last month. A satisfactory balance-sheet was announced, and thanks were given to the producer, Mrs. Cruttenden, and the large cast of talented performers.

The programme commenced with a very interesting reading, "Memoirs of Charles Dickens," by the late Francesco Berger, given by Mrs. Shaw Taylor. A very good character sketch, "The Tea Party" scene between "Betsy Prig" and "Sarey Bamp" was excellently .given by Mrs. Galloway , and Miss McGimpsy. Hearty laughter frequently greeted the many humorous observations of both characters, and splendid costuming added to the success of this sketch. . The main reading of the evening was the well-known "Trial Scene," "Bardell versus. Pickwick," and the true Dickensian humour and inimitable situations were well depicted by a large number of readers, including C. Sjnythe, M. Galloway, A. Prince, H. Page, and Mesdames • Smythe, L. Johnston, Lawrence, Page, and Misses Barrow and D. Rigg. The minor parts depicting various "court" officials, etc., were filled suitably. This reading proved most popular, and warm applause and congratulation was given to all taking part. A charming bracket of songs was given by Miss Effie Brice, she was accompanied by Mrs. Rigg. A happy evening concluded with the singing of the "Brotherhood" chorus and National Anthem. Intending patrons of the December meeting were notified that it is to take the form of a social in character costume, and arrangements are well in hand for a varied number of competitions and an entertaining programme.The "Dramatic Branch" also recently gave a very much. appreciated entertainment at the Wellington College Parents' Association. Short character portrayals and very, effective stage grouping in a finale forming a particularly colourful scene. The performers included Jl Ritchie, A. Prince, P. Prince, V. Barrow, D. Rigg, L. Johnston, M. Page, H. Page, Prince, L. Harper, R. Page, and others. The musical accompaniments were given by Mesdames Wainwright, Prince, and Kindred.