NAPIER.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XV, Issue XI, 14 September 1895, Page 334

NAPIER.

Dear Bee, September 2. The all-rouud general excellence of the performance of Pinero’s delightfully interesting comedy drama, ‘Sweet Lavender,’ by the members of the Napier AMATEUR DRAMATIC CLUB, has been the event of the week, and large and fashionable audiences testified their approval by hearty applause and floral tributes, lavender coloured flowers being showered upon the ladies in great profusion. This Club is renowed fo r the minute attention and correctness of staging, and on this occasion the mounting was the best of the kind ever attempted on the stage Mr George Swan, as the damaged hero, Dick Phenyl, was the success of the play. His abilities are well known, but his friends were completely taken aback by the splendid conception of the part. In his many actions and dress he turned every opportunity to wonderful account. His pose ‘for the defendant,' was much appreciated. The part of‘Sweet Lavender’was in the capable hands of our promising little actress, Miss Una Hitchings, who seems to carry out the motto, ‘ Practice makes perfect,’ for she is seen to greater advantage in every appearance, and the pathos and carefulness displayed in her rendering of the winsome Lavender has won golden opinions from all. She dressed simply and becomingly, and many floral offerings were bestowed upon her after the pathetic scenes with her mother, Ruth Rolt, and Dick Phenye. Miss Hitchings. in the pathetic figure of Ruth Rolt, caused many a handkerchief to be seen during the emotional scenes, the intensity of passion being artistically portrayed. In the last act, when she appears in a nurse’s uniform of grey colour with becoming bonnet and cloak, she won many hearts. In Miss Heath the Club welcomes a fair recruit, who gives great promise for the future. The part of Minnie was an ambitious one for a beginner, and that the result was so successful is all in Miss Heath’s favour. Her costumes were in good taste. In the first act she donned a striking pink linen and white drill combined, stylishly made, with coquettish hat, parasol en suite. In the second scene she apeared in an evening gown of white silk, demi-trained, with long opera cloak and bouquet. Miss Ring wood made a handsome portrature of ‘Our Aunt, Mrs Gilfiiiian.’ dressing the part richly. The proper prominence of the part of Clement Hale was shown in the hands of Mr Maginnity, who made his first appearance on the Napier boards in this particular line. He played it consistentlv, and his love scenes with Lavender were performed with a welcome sincerity, and in other parts he was eminentlv easy and natural. Mr Kennedy was alert and amusing as the persistent Yankee, and Mr Davidson, if disposed to be a trifle too deliberate, gave a wonderfully strong and tender rendering of Wedderburn. Mr Albert Besant extracted an extraordinary amount of character out of the poetical hairdresser. In face and manner Mr H. R. Morton was all that could be desired as the shrewd and kindly doctor, and the small part of Mr Maw was capably done by Mr Finch. Altogether the performers did excellent work, and hopes are expressed that they will repeat the entertainment. Amongst the crowd I noticed Mesdames P. S. McLean. Norman, Todd. McVay, Dixon. Troutbeck, Coleman. Kenrick, Hill, F. L. Gordon, Canning, Hamlin, Swan, Moore, J. McLean. Whitelaw. Morton, Griffin, Dinwiddie, Tabuteau, Carlyon, Carlisle, Milne-Thompson. Misses Beamish, Ross. Bryson, Matthews, Wallace, Watt (two). Spencer, Williams Hitchings. Dickey, Whitelaw, Balfour, .lago, Lanauze, Dy mock. Bower, Kiel, Tuke, Whyte, etc. Invations are issued for a large dance in the Athenmum Hall, to be given by Mrs Margoliouth. HITHER AND THITHER. Mr and Mrs Kinross White and Miss Wenley have taken a trip to the Hot Lakes. Mr and Mrs Russell Duncan have arrived from Melbourne. Miss Constance Hatherley, of Wanganui, is on a visit to Mr and Mrs Cornford. Mrs W. Shrimpton has bean seriously ill at Masonic Hotel. Miss Hitchings has gone on a short holiday to Sydney. Mr Fergusson. from Gisborne, is in town. Miss Locke has returned from a lengthened visit to the Wairarapa district. Miss Florrie Sutton is paying a visit to Auckland. Mr and Mrs Win. Broughton are in Gisborne. Miss Garsten passed through Napier en route for Gisborne. Miss Nathan, of the Telephone Exchange, was presented with an afternoon tea-set by her co-workers on the eve of he return to the Emp're City. Mrs Matthews, from Gisborne, has been visiting Napier friends.

Gladys.