REMUIRA SOCIAL UNION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6817, 22 September 1883, Page 5

REMUIRA SOCIAL UNION.

■ '■.'.-, ". ■ ~ On Thursday evening last the Remuera people were entortaiqed with one of the best .theatrical performances ever witnessed in 1 Auckland, and, taking into consideration 1 the fact that, with one exception, none of the ladies. or, gentlemen who took part in the proceedings had ever , acted in a similar '■ capacity before, the perfect knowledge which 1 each one possessed of their respective parts 1 was altogether a surprise to those who were 1 present, .; : -The result must have been exceedingly.; gratifying to Mr. James Buckland, wbo got the performers together, and who merits tho <■credit of having been, instrumental in developing the latent talent which , many of those- who assisted him, uudoubt- ; edly,possess. Those who knew Mr. Buck- ' land best were satisfied that he had under- ] taken no task which he was not well qualified : . to,execute, when he engaged to produce plays''.before a critical Reranera audi-.: ' enqe, ftven though supported by only a com- ! pany ?of untried ladias and gentlemen. Their coflfidebce, was more than justified by the j result* though it was a source ef regret to all ! .cbnceriied that:there waa comparatively a ' thin house to-witness so excellent a perform- ] ance.. The. proceedings began a little after the stated time by a duet overture (operatic) ! executed;:,' by the Misses Wcoinough and ; Halcome.,, a Tho performers were hidden ' ,'?ytl. tne t screen, .Jwhieh in a great degree j rrarred its'effect, but it was nevertheless a grand piecej: ' and by those who understood it thoroughly it was felt to have been ox.e- ' ciited with a skill which did it justice. The curtain finally rose for the performance of ] the amusing cotriedy, " Chops.tick and \ Spikena." Ihe characters were assumed by < the following ladies and gentlemen :.— Samuel Spikens, of Remuera, Mr. Jamea 1 Buckland; Charley Chppstick (his friend), Mr. C. F. James i Julia (his wife),. Miss ' Kitty Owen; Mrs. Ironclasp (his mother- ] in-law), Mrs. James Buckland ; Cheek (his maid-servant). Miss A. Phillipson ; arid Maud (his terror), Mrs. John hamlin. In ' this jTpieceTthe most noticeable features ■ were':.ij. the ,;'great bounce and hilarity .mam Tested ..'by Mr. Spikeus during the , .absence : ;,,. ; bf;f his 'mother-in-law, which [ changed ;|to: the'most cringing humility ' directly she appeared on the scene, and the patraeage, irpny, and contempt shown by ' the'lady who represented that character was ■ clearly.set forth ;'whilst Miss Owen, as the : much-abused wife, took the cae from her 3 r other,, and materially aided in making the ! Benedict have anything but a happy time. Miss Phillipson acted her part excellently, and assisted the hero of the piece to keep off ' jfJMaiidj" , from ■. the habitation, always,'however, accepting in a inostcoquettißhVway.a half-crown as a bribe for silence '. ..and. a reward for service. Mr. James, as Chiirlie.Chopstick, did credit to himself, and : : tl>e same remarks apply to the part taken by '■ Mrs.' Hamlin. the whole concluded with i .afpiece,,.entitled "A Regular Fix." The , characters : were .■ represented as follows :— ) Mr.® Surplus, a lawyer, Mr. H. Baber; ' 'Charles Surplus, hia nephew, Mr. H. Kinder; j Abel Quick, clerk to Surplus, Mr. G. P. ' Jamee; Smiler, a sheriff's officer, Mr, A. • Shepperd ;i'Porter, 1 Mr. E. Sheppcrd; Mr. ; Hugh De Brass, Mr. Jamea Buckland,; Mrs. : Surplus, Mrs. James Buckland; Emily, Miss Pritfc: Mrs. De>jrah Carter, Miss Phillipson; Matilda Jane, Miss ,E. Shepperd. All went through their several parts without the aid of .the prompter, and not a hitch occurred. ; Thoy .were..- loudly, applauded at intervals during the proceedings. As nothing succeeds like,,success, : there is no doubt a crowded house \\ ill greet their nest appearance in the Remucta Hall. The grose proceeds to the hall fund is £15. •■