PETERSFIELD
DRAWINGROOM ENTERTAINMENT.—The wind-up of the season, by our "Amateur Dramatic Society," in aid of the West Indian Hurricane Fund, will be given on Monday and Tuesday, the 20th and 21st instant, at the Dolphin Assembly Room. The season opened at the commencement of the present year, under highly distinguished patronage, when, after payment of expenses, the surplus yielded about £25, in aid of the charity schools of the town. The performances selected in Stirling Coyne's admired comedy, entitled "Everybody's Friend," preceded by the farce of "An April Fool," and will conclude with Kenney's old English farce of "Raising the Wind." a prologue will be spoken, written expressly for the occasion, by Miss M. S. Adams. We may, with confidence, anticipate success in concluding the present, as in preceding seasons, not only from the talented and energetic efforts displayed by our clever amateurs, but also for the benevolent and charitable objects they have unceasingly kept in view since their first appearance on the stage.
Hampshire Telegraph 28-Apr-1868
PETERSFIELD
Agent—MR. G. DUPLOCK
AMATEUR THEATRICALS.—When our dramatic amateurs gave their usual entertainment about Christmas, they announced their intention of giving an extra performance in aid of the West India Hurricane Fund. This was done on Monday and Tuesday evening last. The pieces, with their respective casts, were as follow:— "EVERYBODY'S FRIEND." Dramatis personæ: Felix Featherley, Mr. W. G . Blanchard, Frank Icebrook, Mr. A. Anderson; Major Wellington de Boots, Mr. Grattan Cooke; Coachman, Mr. H. Dollery; Gardener, Mr. G. Lawrence; Trap, Mr. A. Bathe; Mrs. Featherley, Mrs. Finley; Mrs. Weillington de Boots, Mrs. Adams; Mrs. Swandown, Miss M. S. Adams; Cook, Miss Underdown; Fanny (servant to Mrs. Swandown), Miss M. Faulkner.—"AN APRIL FOOL." Dramatis personæ: Squire Oldbuck, Mr. H. Dollery; Sparks, Mr. A. Anderson, Poddles, Mr. G. Finley; Muffins (a charity boy), Mr. A. Bathe; Diana Oldbuck, Miss Adams.—" RAISING THE WIND'" —Dramatis personæ: Mr.Plainway, Mr. G. Lawrence; Mr. Fainwould, Mr., G. Lawrence, jun.; Jeremy Diddler, Mr. W. G. Blanchard; Sam, Mr. H. Dollery; Head Waiter, Mr. J. Underdown; Richard, Mr. A. Anderson; John (servant to Plainway) Mr. Grattan Cooke; Miss Laurelia Durable, Mrs. Adams;. Peggy. (daughter of Plainway), Miss M. S. Adams.—The following prologue was written for the occasion by Miss M. S.Adams, and was spoken by the vice-president of the society, R. S. Cross, Esq.:—
Ladles and Gentlemen, yet once again,
Nerved by the warmth of your approving smiles,
We mount the boards, and do our best to make
A leisure hour pass pleasantly away.
The change which is a part of earthliness
Has come to us—we are no as we were:
And whilst amongst our ranks new faces show,
We still regret the loss of those who first
With able heads and willing hearts gave aid.
The ancients thought that all the shafts of love
Were winged from Cupid's bow, but now it seems
The fair maids shoot no more by deputy
But with iheir own white hands; and heal the wounds
They give, with words from their own rosy lips:
And since 'tis so, what wonder if the head
E'en of a man of sense be turned, until
He seems no better than an "April Fool."
Perhaps you've heard how wise a man it takes
To "play the fool"? If so, I'm sure you will
Be merciful.
It Is by all allowed,
That friends are truest In the hour of need;
And yet with "Everbody's Friend" it seems
As if he would no better fare than he
Of whom old Æsop wrote, who in his zest
For pleasing all, pleased none, and gained but blame
And loss. But though at first a sad fate seems
To be our hero's, gratitude ere long
Is his reward; and so he finds at last
The double happiness of doing good.
Now what shall in excuse be said for him
Whose ills from his own idleness arise?
Who tries all means to "raise the wind," save that
Which Is the right, "to work, and then to eat."
But as before he leaves the boards, Fortune
Is kind, may he not dare to hope that you
Will pardon like that goddess, with a smile?
And then to those whose hearts and homes have been
Made desolate by sad catastrophe,
We hope to send such comfort as can come
From magic gold, and hearty sympathy.
This to accomplish, and to win your smiles,
Is all we wish. Then criticise us not,
But as you ever have been, still be kind.
There was a large and fashionable audience on the first evening, and the whole passed off very successfully. (See also 9-Apr-1868)