"ARRAH-NA-POGUE."

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 10405, 17 March 1910, Page 1

"ARRAH-NA-POGUE."

To-night the rendezvous of all who appreciate an evening's good, healthy amusement will bo the Municipal Opera House, where St. Patrick's Amateur Dramatic Society will appear in Dion Boucicault's popular Irish drama '•Arrah-na-Poguo." Inquiries made at the hooking office at the Dresden this morning went to prove that the Oamaru public are eager to show their approbation of the endeavor being made by our local amateurs to provide from time to time a production of an unusually high order of merit. Opinion is undivided as to the- desirability of encouraging in a practical manner all local effort in this respect, and in the present instance, wherever assistance has been solicited by those in charge of the management, it lias been readily and generously given. The help thus obta : ncd, and which is deeply appreciated, has enabled the society to undertake a production of . considerable importance and rendwn, and to stage it in a manner, that would do credit to any professional company. '"Arrali-na-Pogue" has been witnessed' by a few residents of Oamaru, .who speak enthusiastically of -the pleasure they derive;! from the play, but to the great majority, of our citizens it comer; as something quite new, and judging by the current reports, patrons are in forsomething really enjoyable this evening. The drama is one that is well worth seeing, being full of life and vigor, and at no time whilst the curtain is raised does the plot drag. A picked chorus of voices will sing "The Dear Little Shamrock." one of Ireland's sweetest-melodies, at.the.conclusion of the overture and during Act T. the introduction of the songs "Goodbye Mavourneen," addressed to Shaun by Arrah and "The : Weafin' o' the Green" during the festivities in. the barn, in addition to an Irish jig in. the same scene, lends a pleasant variation to the performance. The opening scene in which Feeney is relieved of his rents by The M'Coul sets the play in full swing, and the concluding scene in Act 1., where the wedding party in the old barn is rudely interrupted by the arrival of e patrol of Irish Constabulary, M'Coul escapes and Shaun. is arrested, is one that has helped to make the drama so popular. Another strikingly realistic scene in Act. 11. reveals Shaun'in his cell in Wicklow Jail to which Feeney secures admission for the purpose of taunting the prisoner and receives fitting treatment at the 'letter's hand. In Act 111. the most notable scenes depict Siiaun's escape from the prison and the thrilling struggle on the parapet above the walls of the jail. The mounting of the piece will be very complete and a highly meritorious production is confidently anticipated. Doors will open at 7 p.m., an.d the overture commences at 7.45 p.m.