AMATEUR DRAMATIC COMPANY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7337, 2 April 1887, Page 2

AMATEUR DRAMATIC COMPANY.

H.M.S. PINAFORE. The long looked for production of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic opera by New Plymouth amateurs took place on Friday before an overflowing house. Indeed, by a few minutes after eight the doorkeeper " had to turn money away," the accommodation of the hall being entirely taken up. Not only were all the seats filled to a degree almost of discomfort, but chairs and forms had to be placed in the aisles and other open spaces. The following was the cast : — Josephine, Miss Ella Cottier; Little Buttercup, Miss feed; Hebe, Miss Webster; Sir Joseph Porter, Mr. J. Paul; Captain Corcoran, Mr. Holdswortb; Ralph Backstraw, Mr, Eaglos; Dick Dead-eye, Mr. T. Rennell; boatswain's mate, Mr. Perry; carpenter's mate, Mr. Webster; midshipman, Master Cottier; Sergeant of Marines, Mr, Humphries. The cousins and aunts contingent included the following ladies: — Mesdames Eagles, Hall, Paul, Todd, Misßes Blandfoid, Cornwall, Cunningham, Dalziel, Dbvenisb, E. Godfrey, HamertOH, A. Hemptou, K. Humphries, Newland, M. Newland, and Skeet. The tars were Messrs. Churton, Clarke, B. Kirkby, Mills, Simpson, Surrey, Tribe, WhitelaWjC. King, and Oldham. Mr. 0. King was also the stage manager. The orchestra comprised the following : — Violin and leader of orchestra, Mr. Arnold; viola, Mr. Higham; basso, Mr. N. Okey; flautist, Mr. JTookes; clarionet, Mr. W. J. Skaw;cornetß, Mr. Arden and Mr. Cottier; trombone, Mr.Mooseman;tympanum,Mr.C. B. Shaw. Miss Stapp was the pianiste. Mr. Garry, as usual, filled the important post of musical director and conductor of the orchestra. It would naturally be gathered from a perusal of this long list of our best kno w n amateurs that the opera oould aot fail of bein* most excellently pres snted. Miaa Teed'a opening solo, " Pour Little Buttercup," quite set the house at rest on that point, and all through the remainder of the evening this young lady, who has a pleasing contralto voice, infused much spirit and aptness into the portrayal of her character, and was continually evoking the applause of the audience. Miss Ella Cottier also acted gracefully, while her rendering of some of tho beautiful solos of her cast created quite a furore. Her pure aad flexible soprano voice was perhaps heard to best advantage in " The Lass that Loves a Sailor;" but encores were also demanded in the scena, " The hours creep oa apaca" ; and several other duets and trios in which she took part wsre recalled. Miss Webster, who also is a soprano, had not very much vocalisation to contribute in her character of Hebe, but that little was done well ; and her representation of Hebe was an agreeable and appropriate study. Of the gentleman characters Mr. Eagles aud Mr. Holdsworth fairly divided the honors. Mr. Eagles, who has a clear tenor voice, gave bis solos very correctly, while his acting wa9 to the life, both the humorous and pathetic shadows being delightfully natural. Mr. Holdsworth was also sans reproche histrionically, and his smooth baritone afforded very happy renderings of some of the vocal gems which fell to his lot. Mr. Paul, the Tirst Lord of the Admiralty, becomingly supported his allotment, and gave a good exemplification of the pomposity and inflation of tho individual to whom fortune had allotted tbe ruling of the " Queen's Navo-e," the rdle likewise taking a decidedly humorous turn at his hands. Dick Deadeye was sprightlier than most other Dick Deadeye's we have seen, but he was a.so funnier; and the merriment which Mr. Rennell occasioned was a more genuine compliment than we can express. The vocal allotments of this oast, suoh as the solo, " Kind Captain, I've Important Information," showed considerable musical ability as well, Mr. Perry gave the solo " The Midshipmite " with marked success, and his amateur confreres are to be congratulated on having secured his co-opeiation. To speak candidly of the concerted parts, such as the full choruses, a little unsteadiness was noticeable at the commencement, but only in the first two items, and after that this part of the music was most perfectly executed, reflecting great credit not only on Mr. Garry, the conductor, but on every individual vocalist and instrumentalist in the company. Several of the choruses in the latter pan of the evening even vied with the so!q3 in merit, while the orchestra itself waa frequently applauded. The scenery should como in for special mention. As explained by Mr Paul during the interval, it had boon devised and executed by Vlr. Arden, assisted by Mr. Beane and Mr. Tribe. The slago was fitted up to represent the deck of a "liner" being replete with all the necessary ropes, bloaks, taokle, lifebuoys, buckets, etc. The perspective was an artistic marine view. The costumes were another remarkable feature; and indeed to satn up it might be oaid that the production was perfect in every respect, and another good house should be assured for its next presentation.

A ground shark measuring 7ft. 3in. in length waß hooked at the breakwater on Tuesday, by a lad named Edgeoombe, who was angling for schnapper. The lino being a very strong one, Iho sbark was unable to breukaway, und, with the assistance of Beperul people who wore about, wan landed <?a the suad ut tUs fQ9t oi tbe yfall,