AN AMATEUR DRAMATIC COMPANY ON TOUR

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1685, 15 June 1904, Page 53

AN AMATEUR DRAMATIC COMPANY ON TOUR

(From a Correspondent.)

A trip to tlie country! Such was undertaken by the members of the Marist Bros. Old Boys’ Dramatic Company (of Wellington) on Friday. They certainly arrived with glorious weather, but before many hours had elapsed it appeared as if the infernal regions were fighting one against the other, and early on Friday evening lightning flashed vividly across the sky, and clouds, dark, dreary ones, betokened something unusual was going' to happen. However at 8 o'clock in the evening the Company, in gay spirits, wended their way to Victoria Hall, but on account of the holiday more people had left Carterton than had come into it. and therefore it was not an overcrowded audience that greeted the rising of the curtain for the “Wearing of the Green.'' It was at once seen that the performers, numbering thirteen, although

amateurs, could easily be placed as professionals,, and seldom bat'© Ave had the pleasure of seeing anything better staged in our little fcownsliip. Chief among the actors.Avere: Mr G. A. Adams, otherwise “Harry O'Connor,” avlio acted in a manner that Avould haA r e done credit to a far mere experienced stage-player, Avliile Mr ‘‘Charlie?' Gamble as “Barney Rooney” very faithfully pourtrayed his part and' evoked rounds of deserved applause for his acting, and his many “funnyisms” fairly brought doAvn the house; in. Mr D l . Kelly (“Humpty Dargon”) another good actor was unearthed, and Mr Tom Marshal as “Edward GOswald” was a treat to see,. and the audience showed their appreciation by their groans, this actor taking the part of a “gentlemanly scoundrel”; in the Misses Gurney (Ely and Ada) the audience Avere delighted, and vbciferous applause greeted these two fine performers. Their acting was excellent and Miss Ely Gurney as “Molly'* kept the audience in roars of laughter, anu Miss Ada Gurney Avon tlie hearty approval by taking the part cf “Grace Redmond.” RAh acted in a professional way right through the piece, and leud were the comments on these young damsels. Miss Sand-brock, although not one of the principals, jileased her audience by her sAVeet singing, rendering T'li take you home again, Kathleen” in splendid style. Miss Meston and Miss Corrigan Avere also among the lady actors, and fulfilled their parts faithfully in all respects, and later on Ave may expect to see them taking leading parts. Messrs A. Mcßae, Jones, T. Miller, C. Graham, and E‘. J. Healy also took part, and like the rest of the Company, carried out their duties in a highly creditable manner. When the curtain rang doAvn the audience, like Oliver Twist “asked for more”—and Avanted more. This they got on Saturday night, or at least some of them did, for the rain fell in torrents, and kept scores away. On Friday evening, the visitors Avere entertained at % social Avhen the “light fantastic’’-was heartily indulged in till an early hour next morning, and again on Saturday night a tasty supper, with a list of toasts, aAvaited mem. Speeches Avere exchanged, and despite the angry elements outside, the little party enjoyea themselves beyond measure, and sorry were they when midnight struck and Sunday morning announced. To get home Avas the next thing, but Father Cahill, ever ready to oblige and assist, volunteered to drive the party to their respective destinations. This he did in his usual jovial manner, and the Rev. Father’s actions Avere more than once eulogised by our visitors. Sympathy, hoAvever, Avas once expressed for the horse and vehicle, for, although a light and small conveyance, no less than eight Aver© at one time seated—or correctly speaking—crushed into the vehicle, and here two gentleman folks were called upon “to do the amiable,” and consequently suffered, but in silence, at the same time expressing their pleasure of being called upon to do the favours. Sunday arrived, as stated, and, oh, Avhat a day! Certainly a. day of days, but notAvithstanding the majority of the Company, including Miss May Sullivan (who arrived by train the previous evening) Avended their Avay per Father Cahill's vehicle, to the Church, vyhere Mass Avas solemnised. As the Church had only a day or so previously reached its neAV site a rent here anu another there Ava,s noticeable, but nevertheless, the service Avent splendidly ana the cold, Avet weather in the meantime Avas partially forgotten, the excellent singing of the choir (chiefly Wellingtonians)" adding greatly to the harmony of the proceedings. The Sunday afternoon wae spent around large log fires, the members of the Company being billeted "here, there, and everywhere," and song and story Avas.indulged in. till evening. Then, again it was a matter of facing the elements, but the same number again reto the Father's call and attended evening service, vvhat a. dreary night! And then tho sacred concert in the Hall* Avhere a feAV of every denomination attended. Here Miss May Stdlivan Avas heard to very great advantage, and her singing of “O', Divine Redeemer” Avas appreciated and the talented and popular young lady responded to a Avell-deseiwedi encore. The .Misses Gurney, popularly . known by the Carterton folks as “Grace’’ and “Molly,” Avere in line voice and the duet “Oro Pro Nobis” was indeed a treat to listen to, Avhilo Miss Sandbrook Avas also vociferously encored for her rendering of “The Soul’s Awakening,” and likewise Miss Meston, who did full justice to. “Ave Maria.” * Messrs Lawlor, Mcßae, Miller and Healy also rendered items in splendid style. Monday arrived, still raining, but this did not even damp the ardour of the visitors’ feelings—although it clamped their clothes—and again A*ehieles ’ were requisitioned and the several members viewed places of mterest—or otherwise —till, yes, till half the nuniber returned in time to miss the train just by a few minutes. This they seemed to enjoy, and even Avent so far as to state it Avould not much matter to them, only for business, if they missed the train for a Aveek “Ne\*er Avill we forget the kindness of the Carterton people” were among their fareivell words, and ‘ if ever eve are again Avanted to assist any worthy object av© will only be too pleased, more than pleased, to visit your toAvn,’ in fact, Ave av ill make for Carterton, for our Holidays.” These were the expressions, not of one, but of the majority, if not all,' and I can assure our Wellington friends that if ever they return they will get even a more cordial reception, and I think it is safe to promise better Aveather —it could not be much Avorse than what Avas encountered during their only too short stay here. Ijj, the words of the . Maori. I say to our neAvly-made friends, TTvia Ora.”