At this institution on Friday evening the 8th Inst., the Dramatic club of the Royal Engineers gave one of their theatrical entertainments. The house was filled both with civilians and soldiers . The performances commenced by the presentation of the romantic drama in two acts entitled "Ben Bolt". The principal characters in this piece were Ben Bolt, Ivan Ironlink and Reuben Rags, sustained respectively by Messrs. Osment, Rylatt and Woodcock. The latter gentleman as Reuben Rags was highly amusing , and received from the audience his due need of applause. He adds to his other accomplishments that of comic singer, and is quite a favorite with the audience generally, frequently setting them in a broad grin by his ludicrous representations. The former gentlemen played their roles very successfully, showing that considerable attention and study had been bestowed on the parts. Between the pieces a number of songs and glees were sung by several of the members of the Glee club, followed by a dance, by Mr. Colston. The evening's amusements closed with the laughable farce of "Box and Cox". Captain Luard in the character of Box and lt. palmer in that of Cox, were decidedly entertaining and played with a good deal of spirit throughout the piece, giving the impression on the minds of the audience of their possessing a very fair conception of the play. Doctor Seddall as Mrs. Bouncer was rather in the background, having very little room for displaying himself to advantage. He however, acquitted himself in the character assigned to him very well. It is hoped he will have something more prominent where he will in fact have more room to spread himself. We cannot close these remarks without expressing our thanks to the club for not having forgotten us in issuing the invitations.

-13th February, 1861 - The British Columbian

Royal Engineers Theatre

On Wednesday evening the members of the Royal Engineers' Club gave a dramatic performance for the benefit of the Royal Columbian Hospital Fund, on which occasion the pieces performed were Douglas Jerrold's Domestic Drama of "The Rent Day" and Poole's amusing farce "Deaf as a Post".

The Rent Day is too well known to need much description.  It may suffice to recall its features to those not present if we say that the interest centres in the endeavours of Martin Reywood (W. Deas) to keep the farm of his forefathers from the grip of the unjust steward, Old Crumbs (W. Harvey) of his absentee landlord.  There are various complications introduced, owing to the discovery made by two highwaymen that the steward is an "ex-minion of the moon" for whose apprehension there is a reward of 50 Pounds.  Owing to the power they consequently possess over Crumbs, they obtain permission to enter the Squire's house, where they propose to rob a guest.  The guest is saved from their attempt on his property by the courage and devotion of Rachel Heywood, Martin's wife (R.M. Rylatt) and proves to be the absentee landlord himself, Squire Grantley.  Of course, with so powerful a Deus ex machina, everything is easy.  Martin keeps his farm, the unjust steward is dismissed, the highwaymen punished, and, as the old fairy tales conclude, everybody lives happy ever afterwards.  We would particularly notice the acting of R.M. Rylatt as Rachel, W. Deas, W. Harvey, and H. Dransfield, whose drolleries in the character of Bullfrog, an appraiser and creature of Old Crumbs, were very amusing and well rendered.

The plot of the farce is very simple.  Tristram Sappy (J. Woodcock) is engaged to be married to Miss Sophy Walton.  This young lady, as is not uncommon to young ladies, we believe, prefers a lover of her own choosing.  Captain Templeton (J. Turnbull) to the husband of her father's selection.  Thus favored the captain introduces himself at the inn where Sappy is entertaining at supper his future wife and her father, and by pretending to be "deaf as a post" induces an amusing series of mistakes, the ill consequences of which fall on the head of the ill-fated Sappy.  He effects a compromise with the author of the mischief, and resigns his fiancee to the fortunate Captain.  Sally Mags (R.M. Rylatt) chambermaid at the inn, delivered her sneers at Sappy and his meanness in the matter of fees to chambermaids, with great relish and effect.  The appearance of R. Colston in the interlude, dressed as a ballet girl, created perhaps more laughter than anything else in the evening.  There is so much caricature in the mere fact of a man being dressed in the short gauzy skirts of a fille be ballet, that the real excellencies of his dancing may not have been quite appreciated.

--21st March, 1863
From The British Colonist.