OTAGO UNIVERSITY DRAMATIC CLUB.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XX, Issue 37, 1 July 1892, Page 19

OTAGO UNIVERSITY DRAMATIC CLUB.

Sheridan's famous play, " The Rivals," was produced by the menbers of this Club at the Princess Theatre, on Saturday and Mondayevenings. Tbe cast was as follows :— Sir Anthony Absolute, Mr C. M. Mouat ; Captain Absolute, Mr J. B. Macdonald ; Bob Acres, Mr P. H. Campbell; Sir Lucius O'Trigger, Mr W. J. Strong; Faulkland',

Mr P. W. Platts ; Coachman, Mr W. Haydon ; Fag, Mr Alloo ; David, Mr 8. Maxwell ; Mrs Malaprop, Miss Freeman ; L/dia Languish, Miss Fodor ; Julia, Miss Alexander ; Lucy, Miss Montgomery. The play is too famous and too universally known to permit of our giving any particulars as to its plot. Its success was immediate and bo great that it was supposed tbat even Sheridan himself could never again write anything to equal it. Indeed, a candid friend told him tbat his play-writing had come to a premature end, since he must necessarily by Afraid of the author of " The Rivals." " The School for Scandal," it is needless to say, gave a flat contradiction to this motion. Tbe University Club, meantime, are to be congratulated on (their exceedingly clever and successful performance. It would be •difficult to find a troupe of amateurs who could acquit themselves in A better manner. Place aux dames— Miss Freeman's Mrs Malaprop was really an admirable piece of acting. The airs and graces of that amiable gentlewoman were well represented and her peculiarities of language brought out without apparent consciousness. Miss Fodo r as Lydia Languish played th« part of the pottish, sentimental, damsel excellently. Miss Alexander as Julia acted with feeling and dignity, and the slight task allotted to Miss Montgomery as Lucy was well performed. Mr C. M. Mouat as Sir Anthony Absolute was first among the gentlemen — though we should not by any means say Jodie princeps. His interpretation of the choleric old gentleman's character was almost perfect, and was even throughout, tbe boisterous slyness aud merriment of the part being as well portrayed as its anger and indignation. The fault of the acting lay perhaps in alightness and agility of motion hardly compatible with age and infirmity —but this was only now and then apparent. Mr J. R. Mac Donald as Captain Absolute acted with spirit and intelligence. Mr F. H. Campbell as Bob Acres played the upper class country clown and nncourageous stripling with a due naivete. Mr W. J. Strong as Sir Lucius O'Trigger was a very fair stage Irishman of the less objectionable kind. There was little that was exaggerated in his playing and Sir Lucius took a highly respectable part in the comedy. Mr F. W. Platts as Faulkland gave a good account of himself. Mr S. Maxwell as David was effective. Mr W. Haydon as the Coachman acted so as to show qualifications for a more important part, and Mr Alloo as Fag proved himself well up in all the requirements that go to form a puppy. The dresses were suitable and in very good taate, the furniture was extremely handsome. In these compartments the Drapery Importing Company, who supplied the articles, had executed their undertaking capitally. The play, in a word, was in every respect successful, the ac'ing was good and even throughout, an excellent orchestra, under the leadership of Signor Squarue. discoursed appropriate music, and all the appointments were quite in keeping, The bouse, moreover, was thronged by an appreciative audience.