DUNEDIN.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VIII, Issue 27, 4 July 1891, Page 131

DUNEDIN.

Dear Bee, June 17. While the other towns seem to be revelling in all sorts of social gaieties we are at stagnation. The onlyreunion I know of this week has been Mrs Woodhouse s afternoon musical, at which Miss Sievwright sang, and Mrs Mills and Mrs Rose also sang a duet together. Among the guests were Mrs McKenzie, Mrs Pinn, Sirs Denniston, Miss McLean, Miss Backhouse, Miss Reynolds, Miss Sise, Mrs Melland, and Mrs Ferguson. Mrs William Dawson gave at her residence, May Villa, Duncan-street, a dance, over one hundred guests being present. It was a most enjoyable affair, dancing being kept up till the small hours were getting large. Several wellknown singers were present, and added greatly to the fileasure of the evening. Chinese lanterns and other fancy ights ornamented the rooms, and made the ladies' dresses look exceedingly picturesque. The University Dramatic Club produced ‘ She Stoops To Conquer ’ in the Theatre on two successive nights. As the name of the Club signifies, those taking part lay claim to a University education, and the public naturally expected an amateur performance far beyond the ordinary. These expectations were more than realised. The press criticised them as they would have done professionals, and taking them on their own ground as University students, treated them as such. When I tell you that universal commendation was the verdict of the critics, even the most cynical of them, you will readily understand that their success was a marked one. Upon the opening night every seat was occupied, and many who could not obtain a seat were content to stand. The second night drew almost as crowded an audience, and some among them expressed the feelings of many by the presentation of several lovely bouquets. < >ne of these was presented to Miss Fodor, tied with streamers of the colours she wore, rose and mauve. Miss Freeman (8.A.) took the part of Mrs Hardcastle. Her elocution was splendid, and everyone would like to see her in a more thankful part than that of a very empty-headed and quarrelsome old lady. There were some very good scenes between her son, Tony Lumpkin, and Hardcastle. Hardcastle was taken by slr Charles Mouat (8.A.). His acting throughout gave no trace of the amateur. In some of the scenes his facial expression was worthy of a professional. Mr J. R. MacDonald, as young Marlow, entirely lost his own identity in the part, and a musical, flexible voice added greatly to the charm of his acting. Sir J. S. Montgomery a« Tony Lumpkin wacapital. He represented the good - natured, ignorant booby in a manner that took, and created many a laugh. Dr. Jeffcoat made a good Hastings, and Mr W. D. Milne was Sir Charles Marlow. Miss Fodor as Miss Nevill, and Miss Alexander as Miss Hardcastle, both played charmingly. The University orchestra contributed some excellent music, and on the second evening, during the intervals, a number of the students in the body of the Theatre sang some of their merry songs. The dresses were veryhandsome, and brought with their quaint styles and colours the glories of a toilet of a by-gone age very vividly to our admiring gaze, although one thanked their stars they could don full dress now with a quarter of the elaboration. The gentlemen were no less gorgeous in their attire than the ladies. The material was rich, and the colours correct ; but I will give you a description and leave you to judge. Miss Freeman wore in the first act a royal blue quilted skirt with fawn silk pompadour overskirt; made with pointed bodice and elbow sleeves, finished with an edging and fichu of lace. Long old-fashioned earrings and bracelets, powdered hair pilei! high, and adorned with ribbons, completed the picture. Her second dress was even more elaborate. The skirt was emerald green satin, flounced with real Spanish blonde, and a lovely brocaded overskirt of vieux rose and gold, with lace edged sleeves. The neck of the bodice was square-cut, and also finished with lace. Headdress of yellow feathers and pink roses. Miss Fodor, as Miss Nevill, was handsomely attired. Her first gown was a rose satin quilted and jewelled skirt flounced with real Spanish lace, and overskirt of pale blue watered silk flowered with red rosebuds, the sleeves and square-cut neck edged with lace and rose-coloured ribbon, the pointed bodice laced with red silk laces. The hair was, of course, powdered, and dressed with ribbons and feathers. The second dress was lovely — the skirt of mauve silk flounced with real Honiton lace that had done service more than one hundred years ago. The bodice and train were of pearl white silk, brocaded with mauve and pink flowers, elaborately trimmed with lace, and finished off with pink and mauve bows; pink aigrettes and mauve flowers formed the head dress. Miss Alexander as Miss Hardcastle looked as pretty as she was supposed to do. In the first act she wore a white strqied bocaded skirt edged with clusters of Marguerites, the overskirt of white silk flowered with autumn leaves. Later she donned a Royal blue scarf and a large hat adorned with feathers to match. Her last dress—where she ‘ stoops to conquer ’ in the guise of a maid—a short skirt of kilted red satin displaying pale blue silk stockings and buckled shoes. The overskirt was of a soft woollen stuff, a dainty white cap, apron and kerchief, and a bunch of keys completed a very coquettish dress. Miss M. White, as a maid, wore a pretty dress—the skirt of dark red, the overdress of pompadour, with white muslin apron and can. The dresses of the gentlemen were too handsome to be dismissed without a word. Mr C. Mouat wore a suit of the olden

time. The frock eoat was of russet brown serge with large brass buttons and knee breeches of the same material and a pale blue and white striped waistcoat. The usual lace rarties, white silk stockings, and buckled shoes finished the attire. Mr J. R. MacDonald, as Marlow, wore a suit of black velvet, the coat having black l*ead facings, with vest of white serge, and long top boots. The second dress, the coat was of russet-brown velvet with silk knee breeches the same colour, and dowered corded silk waistcoat, with lace frills, white silk stockings and buckled shoes. Dr. Jeffcoat, as Hastings, wore a suit of black velvet faced with gold, flowered corded silk waistcoat with gold border and dainty lace rarties. A stone seal set in gold hung at the bottom of the waistcoat, and with a three-cornered black hat turned up, with gold, knee breeches, and top boots, and beautv spots, made a dashing lover. Sir Charles Marlow (Mr VS*. D. Milne) wore a suit of plum coloured velvet, with drab silk waistcoat made with large lappelsand pockets, his coat pocketsand waiscoat edged with gold, white silk stockings and buckled shoes. He also carried a silver snnfl-box. Powdered wig and lace handkerchief completed the outfit. Tony Lumpkin was very gorgeous in a scarlet hunting frock, handsome tignied silk waistcoat tinselled with gold, light brown tiding breeches, yellow silk cravat, and a black velvet cap. The arrangement and appearance of the drawing room did credit to the stage manager, Mr S. Soloman : in fact the whole affair was well done.

Maude.