THE GOVERNOR.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Issue 19, 1 October 1898, Page 5

THE GOVERNOR.

'Thursday evening was a beautifully fine one, and the result was that the Oddfellows' Hall was filled with people anxious to see the latest play staged by the Waimate Amateur Dramatic Club. The plot, as usual, deals with the old told story of love affairs and cross purposes. Mr Butterscotch ("The Ghiv'nor") has lately married a young wife, about the age of his daughter Kate, He has also a grown-up son. Mr Macclefield, a boatbuilder, has also a son and daughter. The sons are very friendly and each falls hi love with the other's sister. Butterscotch, ■who is very wealthy, intends his daughter to marry an old ■choolmate, Gregory by name. The daughter objects, and meets her lover when Jbe arrives " over the garden wall." On one occasion he leaves his top coat behind, and it is found by old Buttterscotch, who jealously suspects that hife young wife has a lover. This suspi-

cion is strengthened by the Mnts ot a neighbour. Butterscotch's groom leaves, and he engages another, a regular Yorkshire yokel, answering to the name of Gregory. This man he mistakes for his old friend, and treats him accordingly. The G-uv'nor takes the topcoat to Macclefield's boat yard, and old Macclefield takes at as if it were his own and not his son's. This strengthens Butterscotch's suspicion of an intrigue between his wife and the venerable Tjoatbuilder. 'Conversation with the latter's wife seenas to lend colour to this, -and The Guv 1 nor returm tome nearly frantic. He arranges for a separation, forbids .any intercourse between Macclefield's daughter Carrie and his son, and generally "makes things uncomfortable. However, hi the end explanations are forthcoming, and all live happy ever afterwards. The title role, "The Guvnor," was taken by Mr W. M. Hamilton. We have seen this gentleman act much better than he did on Thursday. Probably through lack of time, he did not know his part thoroughly and had to be prompted several times. Also in several situations where the mental strain would be terrific, he displayed little or emotion. Throw yourself into your part, Mr Hamilton, and, above all, avoid any stiffness. These remarks do not in any way disparage the efforts of performers, but honest friendly criticism is the Taest in the enc'. The hardest part was that of Mr Fred. 1 Butterscotch (Mr W. Lee). He was personating a young man who stuttered, and the physical exertion must have been very great. Theodora Macclefield (junr.) was ably personated by Mr Asquith, and Mr Pitcaithly and Mr Coltman caused interne amusement by the representation of Gregory and Mr Macclefield (senr.) respectively. Miss Ross and Miss Clarke as Kate Butterscotch and Carrie Macclefield looked simply charming, and acted their parts to the life. Miss Cooper left nothing to desire in her representation of the Guvnors young wife. Mrs W. L. Scott, as Mrs Maoclefield, wat, in spite of the fact that she had had a very short time to prepare the part, the best of all. Her acting of the old lady and her irritation at the deafness of her husband, were perfection. A number of tninor characters, cabman, groom, solicitor, butler, servant, etc., were taken by Messrs E. C. Collett, Collins, R. Goldstone, W. Thomas and Mrs Wingfield and were all up to the mark. Not to forget Mr McToddy, a gentleman from the North, acted by Mr W. P. Grant, d'ye ken. Music was supplied by an orchestra consisting of Messrs Langdown '(violin), Harwood (cornet), and Collins (piano). After the performance the performers and a few friends met in the anteroom and partook of a very nice supper, provided by Mr Miller's stafr, in the absence of Mr Miller himself. - .