DRAMATIC CLUB PERFORMANCES.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 297, 6 April 1877, Page 2

DRAMATIC CLUB PERFORMANCES.

The Oamaru Amateur Dramatic Club, assisted by Mrs. K\nnear, gave one of their pleasing performances at the Masonic Hall last evening. The audience was a very large one, the whole of the chairs in the reserved seats being occupied. The pieces chosen were in every way suitable for representation by amateurs, and as a consequence they all received very fair treatment at the hands of the members of the Club. The first piece on the programme was a farce new to< Oamaru, entitled " Tweedleton's Tail Coat," and proved of a highly amusing nature. A few words concerning it may not be deemed amiss. Of course, the burden of it rests on the^

shoulders of Toby Tweedleton in two senses of the word; but contrary to the rule of farces, all the business is not in the hands of one individual, as each character is a good one. The dialogue is quick and racy, and the language good. The principal action of the play rests on the adventures of a tail coat, which, in the course of events, changes owners several times, and eventally reaches the back of its rightful owner without his knowledge. One or two of the scenes are especially good, notably that between Pantile and Bracebutton, in which the former cautions the latter to take care of his plate and jewellery ; and that between Pantile and Tweedleton, in which the latter is nearly demolished by " a scene of withering sarcasm." Altogether, it is above the average of plays of its kind, and may seen again with pleasure. The principal character of the piece (Toby Tweedleton) was undertaken by Mr. Hickey, and we must certainly give him a word of praise for the very admirable manner in which he went through the part. The audience were not slow to appreciate his capital acting, as was shown by the frequent roars of laughter which greeted his humorous performance. Mr. Creagh was also very successful in his representation of Mr. Barnaby Bracebutton, a fashionable West End tailor, who is fond of aping the ways of the aristocracy, with a decided habit of asperating his h's. The Pantechnicon Panticle of Mr. Kerr was also a meritorious performance, and the same may be said of Mr. Booth's Blackberry Thistletop. Mr. M'Glashan, who appeared as Sam, seemed to be a new hand at the amateur acting business, and like most beginners, was guilty of a tendency to make his fun of too tragic a nature ; but this is a fault that will no doubt wear off with experience. Mrs. Kinnear made a very good Evelina. The next piece on the programme was a farce bearing the startling title, "A Fearful Tragedy." This piece abounds with fun, the situations being exceedingly ludicrous and the language of the drollest description. Last evening the piece passed off tolerably successful, but a better knowledge of the text on the part of some of the performers would have made that success far greater. At the beginning of the " tragedy :> the audience were almost convulsed with laughter, but towards the end it lagged considerably. The two chief characters were undertaken by Messrs. Oarncross and Hickey, and between them they managed to cause i - oars of laughter. Messrs. Rhodes and Tempest are deserving of praise for the manner in which they under trying circumstances, managed to adhere to the text ; while Mrs. Kinnear's Mrs. Slumpington was a highly commendable performance. The concluding piece was Charles Matthew's somewhat improbable, though highly diverting, farca of "A Fast Train." The piece abounds with little anecdotes, setting forth the "all-fried cuteness" of the Americans, delivered by a " down-easter." Mr. Oarncross, as Colonel Jack Delaware, of the Jefferson Blues, was capital, his performance being one of the very best amateur efforts that it has been our pleasure to witness in Oamaru. Mr. Corliss was well made-up, and acted capitally ; while Mr. Hickey did the little he had to do, well. During the evening a good band, consisting of Messrs. Finch (piano), Earle (violin), and Phelan (cornet) discoursed some very good music, though the wretched piano which does duty in the hall went a long way to mar the effect of the musicians efforts.

To-night the Ciub will give another performance, when a change will be made in the programme, Maddison Morton's glorious old farce of "Box and Cox " being substituted for "A Fearful Tragedy.'' Those who really wish to enjoy a good hearty laugh will do well to attend the performance, for we feel sure they will lose nothing by so doing. As we said on a previous occasion, "• Box and Cox " will be introduced to the Oamaru theatre-goers by Mr. Mitchell, a gentleman who comes here with a reputation as a capital amateur comedian, and from whom great things are expected. The other prominent part in the piece will be sustained by Mr. Carncross, who is already well known to our readers. We believe, also, that another feature of the performance will be the introduction of that charming little song, "Silver Threads Amongst the Gold," which will be snng by Mrs. Kinnear. Altogether, a very enjoyable night's entertainment may be anticipated.