AMATEUR OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1216, 23 January 1886, Page 3

AMATEUR OPERATIC AND DRAMATIC ENTERTAINMENT.

On the evenings after each days' races, entertainments were given in the Town Hall, under the patronage of the Jockey Club and Borough Council. These entertainments, which were under Mr E Towsey's musical directorship, were scarcely so well .if tended as was to have been expected. However, the house on Thursday night was a fair one, and would i probably have been more crowded but for the heavy shower that fell shortly after six o'clock and through which a number of people who had come from a distance were caused to leave for home under the impression that a wet night had set in. Considering the trouble that has been taken in putting the various items of the programme on the boards in first-class style, and the time and labor expended in rehearsals as well as the known ability of the directors and performers, it was somewhat of a surprise to find a vacant seat in the Hall. The overture played by Mrs Foster was very well received and enthusiastically applauded, after which the farce, entitled "My Friend from Leatherhead," was proceeded with. The curtain rose to a scene in the house of "Captain Squiffem," a retired army officer (Mr E. Towsey), who was being visited by his verdant friend from Hie country, " Mr Lubin Loophole" (Mr Foster). "Loophole," something of a masher, had fallen in love with a female fellow-traveller, who turns out to be a married woman and no less a person than "Squiffem's" wife. Some very amusing passages occur between "Loophole" and "Squiffem" over this affair, the Captain ail the time being ignorant that it is his friend and visitor who has' bpen persecuting his wife with hio annoying attentions. Mrs Foster, as Squiffem's wife, played her part W9II, and was ably seconded by the two gentlemen who took the parts of " Shanks " and "Lemondrop," who acted as valet and lady's maid, respectively. The latter part by Mr Campbell was particularly enjoyed by the audience, and very cleverly played, especially for a debutant. "Loophole," driven to despair, lest " Squiffem" should take summary revenge on him, jumps out of a window and falls through a skylight below, after which he is carried in by two police constables in uniform for the final scene, then all is made-up with " Captain Squiffem," when it is found that " Loophole " did not know that his inamomta was a married woman. The farce throughout was most amusing, and quite brought down the house. A short concert, by way of interlude, was then given, in which all the performers acquitted themselves well. It was opened with a selection on the piano by Mrs Foster and Mr Towsey, being played with taste and precision. The second item was the song "Wrecked and Saved" by Mr Foster, which was followed by Mr S. Wootton in a nigger step-dance. Miss J. Rolfe sang in charming style the character song "Coquette"; an Irish jig by Mr Mercer was encored ; Mr Towsey (by request) gave the old favorite " Tom Bowling ;" then Mr Barclay appeared in a clog dance and was recalled ; after which the duet, "The Gipsy Countess" was contributed by Mr Towsey and Miss J. Rolfe in charming voice. This concluded the musical interlude. After a few minutes interval, the comic operetta " £ s d " was put on, and took immensely wifcH the audience. Mr Foster assumed the pirt of a Moses " (the moneylender), and Mr Towsey of "Mr Dunn Brown " (the impecunious bridegroom) ; while Miss H. Rolfe's singing, as well as her acting and get-up in the rote of " Polly" was exceptionally good. After tho conclusion of the entertainment, the floor was cleared for dancing, which was participated in by a goodly number of couples, who kept up the ball till well into the morning hours. Last night " £ s d" was repeated, and the comedy " To oblige Benson " was substituted for " My Friend from Leatherhead," the cast of characters being " Mr Benson " (a barrister), Mr Selby ; " Meredith " (a pupil of Mr Benson's, who has been carrying on a clandestine flirtation with Mrs Benson), Mr Hindmarsh ; "Mrs Benson," Miss H. Rolfe; "Mr and Mrs Meredith," Mr and Mrs Foster. This part of the programme passed off fully as well as did the farce " Leatherhead " on the previous night. The concert programme consisted of an overture by Mrs Foster and Mr E. Towsey ; ballad, " Alice, where art thou V Mr Towsey ; Negro step dance, Mr Wootton ; descriptive song ("Flying Dutchman,") Mr Foster; a double jig, by Messrs Mercer and Barclay ; a waltz song ("My Queen") well sung by Miss J. Rolfe ; and a Bailor's hornpipe, danced in costume, by Mr Barclay.