OROUA DOWNS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 7, 6 December 1926, Page 8

OROUA DOWNS.

[From Our Own Correspondent.]

Tuesday evening last saw one of the cleverest musical comedies ever presented under the auspices of the Oroua Downs Amateur Dramatic Society. The curtain rose before a bumper house, and from the commencement of the play, “Don’t Tell Matilda,” to the finale, the wit, humour and repartee were clever and amusing. Each and every performer lived their parts with perfect precision, from the ireful Colonel Potts, whoso insistent demands fell upon James, the butler, as a burden easily relieved, to the demuro Yvonne and staid Auntie Liza. As Colonel Potts, Mr S. Ross displayed no mean abilities as the man needful of plenty of attention, and as Matilda, the nagging wife of Clarence Copps, Miss M. Burling played her part worthy of commendation. From lighter vein to exasperation Miss Burling’s acting was clear and defined. The rolo of Clarence, her henpecked hubby, was skilfully played by Mr Fred Beeoonsall, the promoter and producer of the play. He quickly proved himself a clever impersonator and entertainer, and to him much credit is due. As first and second waiter Messrs T. and A. Grainmer created quite a natural atmosphere at the Hotel Pimlico, where Auntie Liza on suite reposed. As “Auntie” Mr L. Burling was inimitable, and the rounds of laughter that greeted “her” failed to move “her” from “her” composed nature. Otto de No Cash was enacted by Mr D. Funnell, who carried out a most intriguing part, and clever intuition was invariably his happy factor, while his local witticisms were fittingly arranged. Mr L. Shader as a Scotland Yard detective and the Misses Davey as Lulu and Mary each were quite at home, as were Misses Groom and Marchant and Mr H. Rivers. Mr N. Burling was at the piano supplying the accompaniments for the vocal items. For some time the performers had been hard at their task, and the production and the staging in both acts were most natural and must have involved a lot of thought, time and labour, but judging by the unstinted applause their work was fully compensated, and a financial success attended their efforts.

At the conclusion a sumptuous supper was served : by the ladies, and a dance followed until the early hours of the morning. Mr W. Scott and Miss L. Gustofson won the spot waltz competition. Mrs Wilson Soott, Miss McKenzie, Messrs Waller, Burling and Millard each contributed dance music. Mr H. Rivers acted as M.C. The following was the full cast: Clarence Copps, a henpecked husband, Mr F. Bccconsall; Otto de No Cash, his friend and accomplice, Mr D. Funnell; Colonel Potts, uncle of Clarence, Mr ,S. Ross; Aunt Liza Swanee, his sister, Mr L. Burling; James, butler to Potts, Mr Y. Gustofson; Detective Smutt, Mr L. Shailer; the boss waiter, Mr T. Grammar; another waiter, Mr A. Grammar; Matilda Copps, Clarence’s nagging wife, Miss M. Burling; Yvonne Copps, their daughter, Miss L. Gustofson; Miss Phillis Jones, her friend, Miss E, Groom; Mary, Matilda’s maid, Alias D. Davey; Lulu, Auntie Liza’s maid, Miss L. Davey; Mr Pratt and Mrs Pratt, friends of Matilda, Mr H. Rivers and Miss K. Marchant.