NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 18, 28 October 1908, Page 67

NEW PLYMOUTH.

Dear Bee, Oct. 24. THE NEW PLYMOUTH AMATEURS staged “Facing the Music” last Friday evening in the Theatre Royal, to a crowded house. The audience was a most appreciative one. The farce .won popular approval all the way. As John Smith, Mr. Easther’s portrayal was splendid. The very amusing situations created roars of laughter, and his masterpiece, his acting in the last Act, drew forth thrilling applause, and caused everyone to think and say with one accord that Mr. Easther had unmistakably missed his vocation. He is so natural and realistic, many professionals being unable to better it. The two Mrs. Smiths (Mesdames Fred. Watson and Claude Weston) proved themselves very clever actresses, and were charming all through. Miss Dora Bedford, as - Miss Fotheringgay of the Bijou Theatre, acted and spoke naturally and well. Mrs. Uiiiacke (Stratford —a noted lady for character parts), as Mrs. Ponting, the house-keeper, was delightfully humorous. The Rev. John Smith (Mr. Leslie Hill) was exceptionally good, never once lacking to keep up the monotone. Mr. J. C. Summer, the ever hilarous Dick Desmond, and guest of John

Smith, kept the audience well amused with his quaint ways and merry laughter. .As Colonel ; Duncan Smith. (John Siniih's' uncle)’,' Mr. T. R. Southall gave a 4isti actively clever study. Mr. W. G. (Scrgt. Duffell. attached to Vanestreet Police Station) ‘ carried out his part iii a very able manner. The staging and dressing were admirable, tho ladies' frocks being exceptionally dainty. In fact, the whole thing from beginning to end was thought by many to have been the best amateur performance ever held in New Plymouth. The Whitely Orchestra, under Mr. C. H. Lown, rendered a well-selected programme that was much appreciated. Mrs. Chtude Weston, in the first Act, was robed in a charming cream costume, with lovely long cream coat, white hat with wings; her second costume was a very handsome English costume of chocolate brown, and white striped chiffon taffetas, vest and under sleeves of lovely cream lace, finished with narrow bands of brown silk. Tuscan hat, wreathed with pink roses; Mrs. Fred. Watson’s first costume was a dainty blhe linen with embroidered yoke and deep cuffs; in the last Act she wore a very pretty froek of black satin, semi-Empire, with cream filet, net yoke, finished with black silk passementerie; Miss Dora Bedford, in the first Act, wore a charming pale blue muslin frock, semi-Em-pire. with deep rib yoke, inset with white Valenciennes lace, black feathered picture hat; in the last Aet she. wore a dainty border muslin, the border being composed of for-get-me-knots, and pink roses, pink floral ribbon, Empire, sash, pale blue silk taffetas hat, trimmed .with gold braid and pale pink roses; Mrs Uniacke wore her house keeper’s uniform. Amongst the audience, I noticed Mrs Alexander, Misses Skinner .(2), Mrs Quillian!,. . Miss . Quilliain, Mrs Burgess, Mrs I.eatham, Miss Leatham. Miss Bedford, Mrs Kerr, Miss Kerr, Mrs H. Oswin, Miss 0. Mackay. Miss D. Saunders, Miss Brewster, Miss Bayley, Misses Fitzherbert (3), Mrs Penn, Misses Penn (2), Mrs Hall, Miss B. Rennell, Mrs H. Weston, Misses Hoskin (2), Misses apel (2), Mrs F. Fookes, .Misses Fookes (2), Miss I. Birdling, Miss V, Kirkby, Misses B. and F. Evans, Miss-Russell (Dannevirke), Miss Messenger, Miss Devenish, Mrs H. Stocker, Mrs G. Kebbell, Mrs R. Cock, Miss T. Brown, Miss R. Clarke, Mrs H. Davy. Miss Carte, Mrs Mac Diarmid, Miss Kyngdon, Misses Hanna (2), Mrs Armitage. Miss Deacon, Mrs MeKellar, Mrs Fitzherbert, Mrs Gibbons, Miss Kirkby, Misses Webster (3), Mrs Newman, Mrs Rollo, Mrs Saxton, Miss Saxton, etc. PERSONAL ITEMS. Mrs Uhiacke, Stratford, has been the guest of Mrs Claude Weston-, New Plymouth. but has now returned. Mr J. Mills, Marton, has been on a visit to New Plymouth, but has now returned. Miss K. McKenzie, from Palmerston South, is the'guest of Mrs Fraser, New Plymouth. Mr and Mrs E. Blundell, the former manager of the Bank of New Zealand, New Plymouth, have gone on a visit to Nelson. West Coast, and Christchurch. Mr F. J. Dignan, manager of the Ashburton branch, will act as relieving manager.

Mr P. D. McCord, of the Union Bank, New - Plymouth, has gone for a -11 weeks’ iwiJldiryXu his home in Tasnuuria, Mr H. K. Webb, of the Wellington staff, coming to relieve him. The Hon. Oliver Samuel, accompanied by Mrs Samuel, will leave New Ply month in January on an extended holiday tour through Japan. China, and England. Dr and Mrs Trilby King, Tiinam, who have been on a visit to their relatives in New Plymouth, have been visiting Auckland, but have now returned to

New Ply month.

NANCY LEE.