Dramatic Club’s Production of “Barnet’s Folly.”

The Cast of Darfield Dramatic Club’s Production of “Barnett’s Folly.”

Darfield Dramatic Club delighted large audiences on Wednesday and Thursday night with their second production, “Barnett’s Folly,” a comedy by Jan Stewer.

With the large number taking part, all seen on together in the first act, the stage of the Methodist schoolroom, Snape Hill, where the performances were given, was hardly big enough. Credit is due for overcoming this difficulty to Mrs. T. M. Beswicik, the producer, who had arranged the grouping so adeptly.

For a second production the club had attempted something on rather a big scale, There was little room for action and the success of the piece depended almost entirely on the clarity with which the long speeches were given.The players fully realised this, however, and putting every possible Inflection of expression into their ports, held the interest of the audience throughout,

The play is based on family rivalries. The curtain rose to depict a kitchen with Hannah Mudge and George Growsell, faithful servants to Mark Lannacott, discussing their master’s affairs, which they don’t consider are going quite right. Miss M. Scholey, as Hannah, created a good Impression with her robust humour and ably partnered by Mr H Rogerson as George Crowson raised applause.

Mr. Rogerson’s performance was one of the most outstanding In the play. Refined As Nellie, the relined daughter of Maurk and Mrs. Lannacott. Miss M. Hirst was a happy choice. She had a pleasing stage manner and charming appearance. As Richard Barnet, an agreeable young man who makes love to Nellie, Mr. T. W. Illsley was confident and unaffected.

Mr. A. Chaney gave a striking performance in the first two acts as a good humoured yeoman farmer, and cleverly portrayed a man broken in spirit, in the last act, when troubles beset him. His wife, a person of refined disposition, was done by Miss A. Race, who had an unassertive manner just suitable for the part. Mr. W. Vizard played the part of William Burridge, a man with narrow views and blustering manner, and as his wife, a woman whose loud tongue was never still, Miss I. Lazenby was good. Hettie, their grown-up daughter, was excellently portrayed by Mrs. A. Clarney, who gave most convincing performance as a daughter ruled by her mother. Hettie’s brother, Sam Berridge, was played by Mr. A. Bradley, who acted a typical rough farmer.

Other small parts were taken by Mrs E. Greenhow. Miss B. Rushforth, Mr. J. Hayes, Mr. J. Linley, Mr. E. Blissett and Miss I. Jones.

The wit of the dialogue and the humour and thrill of the situations were brought out well In the performance, and for this credit was mainly clue to Mrs. T. M. Heswick, the producer, who also deserved praise for having worked extremely hard to get the play ready a worth earlier than was anticipated, and with such good results.

In the stage effects the Society had displayed refined taste. They were indebted to Mr. J. Hayes for the lighting effect Mr. J. Crowther, Mr. J. Lumb and Mr. Naylor were stage managers, and Mrs. I. Stables was business manager.