CHUMS.

Evening Star, Issue 8267, 12 July 1890, Page 2 (Supplement)

CHUMS.

Mr Christie Murray's now comedy drama of 'Chums' will be produced for the first time in Dunedin at the Princess's Theatre next week. Its production in Auckland was an unqualified success, and Mr Murray has hastened to obtain the verdict of' a. Southern audience. The scene of tho play is laid in Otago, the Burroundinivs beineentirely characteristic of station iti'v l uyldfiolds' life. The play possesses i," involved or labored plot; there u an absence of straining after effect, and j, talesimple and touching as a po-m in the result. The Saint Maur Company havebeen entrusted with the production, and tlip rehearsals have been conducted under Mr Murray's own supervision. When in Auckland Mr Murray presented the mi-dna! manuscript to Sir George Grey, who to'.k the keenest interest in the play, the-veteran kni"ht witnessing the initial performance ami kuiplying all the native bush for the seey l 0 in the second act. It was a noticeable fact in Auckland that people who for yens had been strangers to tho theatre v.uok the keenest interest in watching the skilful evolving of this "bit of humun nature." People who recall the clever acting of the Fauntleroy children will have an opportunity of seeing Master Lao (one of the "chums") who is said to be a remarkably clever child actor. Additional interest will attach to tho Dunedin performances, in that the author will himself play John Furlong Square Jack. The scenery has been specially painted by Mr Neville Thornton and the accessories will be in keeping. Interviewed at Christchurch'respecting the play, the author said: " Though it does not in any way pretend to be an expression of New Zealand life and foelinp it has a plot which could not be worked outexcept in colonial life. Kver since I have been in tho colonies I have devoted myself a great deal more to literary matters than to recording my impressions as a traveller. I have found a Taemanian story and aii Australian story, which are full of human interest, and, if I handle them properly will make very strong dramas, I intend to sees: it Melbourne production for my Australian play, for if I secure the approbation of an Australian audience, I shall be certain that my picture of colonial life is not unreason ably bad, and could take it to Loudon with their authentic cachet, as a colonial story which has been approved by colonials * h *T e gl , ven tho °»8«ial manuscript of Chums to Sir George Grey, who -ic cepted it saying: «1 shall present this'to the Auckland Library. l am not flatterineyou when I say that it is very valuable and would be so even if it were tho poorest thing ever written, for it is tho first thine ever done by an English man of letters for New Zealand. It marks the beginning o? our dramatic literature.' Sir George good enough to tell me that in ■ Chums' he had for the first time seen human nature staged unstagily. He took a great fancv to little Leo, who plays Harold, and vo/y> pleasing it was to see the veteran's tenderness to the child. 1 must say that Mr St. Maur s Company plays tht piece very well. I could not get a 20 per cent, better representation in London. I would not ask for a better representation of Ned Fellows than St. Mane's. Miss Seymour is also good, and the little boy Leo simply wonderful." r J

The meeting of the High street School. Corrmufctee on Thursday was attended by Messrs Mercer (chairman ,\, Melvin, West, Hatton, Moss, and Bislon. The head-master reported that the number of pupils on the roll was t—Boys, 354 ; girls 355; total, 709, The average attendance tor the month of Juno was—Boys • girls, 331 ;. total, 651. The inspector'* report was laid on the table, showing that a percentage of passes of 93 for the whole school bad been obtained, and ; * memo. fan the Education Board wan. read to the effect that the fo lowing ontry had been made respecting the. sebool:— "Mr rk > s school is in a very efficient condition, and his pupil-teachers are well trained in class teaching and management." ft was deeidedto the school on the 25th inst. Q V»t J n, . d - Wlnt er holidays. Messrs West andLMelvin were appointed a visiting com-