DRAIMA FESTIVAL

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 52, 21 August 1939, Page 5

DRAIMA FESTIVAL

WHAKATANE INSTITUTE WINS HIGH STANDARD THROUGHOUT JA*:, '1 V The fifth Drama Festival of Eastern Bay of Plenty Federation of Women's Institutes held in the King Street Hall last Wednesday, under the auspices of the Women's Institutes proved a signal success, there being a large and interested, audi., ence Avho Avilnessed acting of a high standard. Mr s Woolfield, President of the Eastern Bay of Plenty Federation, opened the function by extending a hearty Avelcome to all present, and saying hoAV pleasing it Avas to see such a large gathering. This was, | foUoAved by the singing of the ''Ode to Friendship." Seven plays AA r ere presented. The staging of all AA T as very good indeed details being AA'cll carried out. The Avinning play Avas "Martha and Mary" given by the Whakatane Institute, the adjudicator, Mrs Strange of Tauranga stating the frocking and production was A r ery realistic and the performance very finished. Waimana was placed second Avith "Ladies in Waiting.'" The atmosphere of a hospital was Avell conveyed by realistic touches such as the use of chloroform. The play was pathetic and the team work good. The lilay had a strong climax. Otakiri came third Avith ''Women at War.'' The characters AA T ere Avell taken and the stage furnishings Avcrei realistic. Team Avork Avas good and the finale Avell taken. "The Spinsters of Lushe" present, ed by Edgecumbe, was well acted, the frocking being most attractive, each player taking her part with great altogether a sparkling performance and a happy climax. - - A comedy sketch "The Way to his Heart" Avas presented by Whakatane. The team Avorlc Avas fairly even and the climax good. Matata Institute presented 'Tar, Far Away This play Avas very steadily acted and had a nice finish. "The Days Good Cause'' presented by Edgecumbe, Avas humorous, and well presented, all players looking the. part. At the conclusion of the contest the adjudicator remarked upon the standard of the Avork in general as being particularly high and the team work excellent. She said in her experience as adjudicator she had never marked plays so highly, and really found difficulty in choosing Avliat she considered the best—that is aft T er placing Martha and Mary first as being of outstanding merit both in production and execution. Mrs Withy then, presented a silver fruit dish to the producer of the winning play, Mrs Norman and congratulated her on its success. The following Avere the casts in the plays:—

"Martha and Mary" Whakatane Women's Institute No. 1. Scene; Living Room of a house in Bethany Martha, Airs P. Sisam; Alary Airs Sutcliffe; Sara a maid, Airs Albiston; Ruth, Airs Stewart; Aliriam, Airs Alurphy; Airs Rangi; Rebecca, Mrs Littlejohn. Producer; Airs Norman. ''The Day's Good Cause'* Edge, cumbe Women's Institute. Scene: The housekeeper-secretary's room. Miss Pettifer, Airs F. S. Hodson, Alls Bottle, cook Airs J. Jesperson; Lady Entwhistle, Aliss Justine Le Lievre; Aliss Jean Hall; Conni 0 , Miss Alarga,rot Simpson; Airs <Figg. Mrs Gibson; Alinnie j Airs Old. Pro-< dueer; Airs Irving. ''Far, Far Away" Alatata Women's Institute. Scene: Kitchen. Airs Considine, Alr s Ansell; Airs Ladslove. Miss P. Burt; Queenie, Aliss Ansell; Airs R. Withy; Nancy Considine, Airs Pclloek; Aliss Grimswado Mr s Cummings. Producer; Airs Cav erhill. "The Way to his Heart" Whakatane Women's Institute No. 2. Scene; Sitting room. Primrose Penfold; Airs Norman; Jane Dash. Airs Sims: Airs Gudge, Airs Stewart; Aliss Cooper, Airs AlcKenzie; Aliss Prince, Mrs K. Armstrong; Airs Norton t Airs Darvil]. Producer: All's Norman. ".Ladies in Waiting" Waiinana Wo men's Institute. Sccne: Waiting room at hospital. A Girl, Airs It. Bell; A Woman, Airs H. Wardlaw: A Fair Aliss J. Alc.Connell: A Dark Visitor, All's J. Wardlaw; A Sister, Aliss AI. Woolfiekl; A Nurse 'Miss AI. Stansbury: A Garrulous Visitor, Airs T. .Wardlaw. Producer: Airs J. Mitchell. "The Sninsters of Lnshe" EdgeWomen's Institute No. 2. Scene: Drawing room. Aliss Charlotte Bright Aliss i>Tn,riorir. Goldsmith; 1 " ' "iitnm) ,1