Local Theatrical Enterprise.

Huntly Press and District Gazette, Volume 4, 28 July 1916, Page 2

Local Theatrical Enterprise.

GRAND VAUDEVILLE BY JUVENILE AMATEURS.

That there are some very clever young people among the youthful portion of our community is a fact that has time and again been clearly demonstrated. Perhaps no more substantial proof of it could be obtained than the judgment of Dr Mcllwraith the district school inspector who has on more than one occasion proclaimed the pupils’ attainments in English, reading and elocution superior to anything he has met among children in the Dominion. Recognising their peculiar aptitude in this sphere Mr J. Carmody, two years ago, perceived the possibility of organising a local juvenile dramatic company that would make its mark in the vincinity of the footlights. The first notable result in this step was the production in 1914 of an original little Irish comedy “ The Tipperary Schoolmaster.” Perhaps no greater tribute could be paid to the young artists’ first effort than the fact that, when in the following year they appeared in a more ambitious production, “ The Picaninny Goons,” in spite of teeming rain for half an hourprior to the performance, at the rise of the curtain the house was packed to the doors. Confident in the capabilities of his young artists Mr Carmudy has, during the past few weeks reorganised them for a supreme effort before his departure for camp, and we now find them billed to stage, on August the ninth, a two-and-a-balf hour’s vaudeville programme which judging from the success of rehearsals should be equal to anything of its kind attempted by youthful amateurs in the Dominion. The rise of the curtain discloses the stage magnificently arranged as a garden wherein a merry party of dandies is lejoicing in celebration of the wedding of ‘‘Brother Jim Dixie.” Throughout the first part of the performance which is partially minstrel in character, are featured some very pretty plantation effects punctuated with happy little songs and lullabies with very fine concert choruses. The comic element naturally predominates throughout this portion and much laughter may be anticipated from the tapers and antics of Sam Jackson, Sloppy, Jim Dixie, The Blushin’ Dinah, Mammy Liza and the Alabama Coon. The proceeds after deduction of expenses are to be devoted to the Sick and Wounded Soldiers’ Fund and the second part of the bill has been specially designed to accord with tho object in view. The outstanding feature of this part is a very fine grand patriotic march in which 32 girls dressed in red, white and blue take part. This item is entirely the work of Miss Ada Wylie who shares the directorship with Mr J. Carmody. The final sketch representing the return of wounded Anzacs and concluded with a series of appropriate tableaux should in everyway be a fitting and effective finale to what promises to be the most successful theatrical project ever undertaken by local amateurs.