THE HIDDEN TALENT

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 29, 4 December 1945, Page 5

THE HIDDEN TALENT

KNOX DRAMA CLUB

THREE TELLING PLAYS

Members of the Knox Drama Club made their official debut to the public of Whakatane lasL Wednesday evening, when three particularly well-acted plays were presented in the Presbyterian Sunday School room to a crowded and appreciative audience. We have nothing but the warmest praise for the manner in 'which all parts Ave re and join with the general hope of those present- that it will not be long before the Club produces further entertainment of the same high class order. It Avas a surprise to a local audience to note the splendid histrionic abilitj 7 Avhich has apparently been latent in our toAvn and which the Club has been responsible for bringing out. The Drama Club fills a longfelt AV-ant in our and we trust continue to go from strength to strength. The portrayal of a telling incident from English history Avas the tlieme of the first play "Red Queen White Queen" in which the famous action nf King Henry VIII. in putting aAvav his legal Avifc Catherine of Aragon . J -J and espousing against the Papal authority, Anne Bolyn Avas re-en-acted in convincing style. Heavy drama from beginning to end the play held the audiencc t and reflected the greatest credit on all taking part. Force and graciousncss Avcre defined by Airs J. Riddell in her most difficult part Catherine of Aragon. She Avas consistent througfaout, and convincing in all her mannerisms. Airs A. W. Fletcher Cole

as the ambitious and flippant Anne Boleyn was absolutely splendid her side-play being an outstanding feature of her every appearance. In direct contrast the stately dignity of the Countess of Salisbury (Mrs C. G. Lucas) was another high point in the play. Mrs Lucas is to be commended. Miss Nola West surprised her audience for her able handling of the trying part portrayed as Princess Mary. Miss West was admirably suited to the. purt ) and won deserving applause. Ladies in Waiting to the various "Royalties were handled in capable fashion by Mrs Tc H. Ferguson Miss Betty Hooper Miss Grace Brown and Miss Elva Hall. These characters lent an admirable background to the plav ? for which the costuming was one of the outstanding features. Miss Barbara 13reckon took he secondary part as the page bov announcer. The second play was by way of direct contrast, a light farce entitled '"Even Exchange." Here was shown a domestic incident in whdeh humour was interspersed with good acting for telling effect. As the •spendthrift, Efl'ie Paige, Miss Alison Hogg was really splendid. Mr 11. E. Lnngridge played opposite her as the worried and distracted hushand ) and carried his part well. As the third party in- the -plot Miss Iluth Garaway made an admirable Mrs Winslow. The audience followed with the greatest interest the ramifications revolving around the'purchase of a hat and the.disposal of a fifteen guinea suit. The last staging entitled "Ghosts On Christmas Eve" was a distinct change again and revealed still further the versatility of the Club's members. Here was a telling and seasonable phantasy with a pretty moral behind it. We were immensely struck by Miss Jean Armstrong's ease and confidence on the stage. Ilcr work as Lady Georgina Powder, ham was'of the highest order, and is to be warmly commended. Miss Sybil Tong, who handled the part of 'Jackie' Jenningham was another telling character. Her work was

also really good. By drab comparison Miss Helen Re id interpreted the unpopular part of Mrs Wicldleby ? and made the most of it. She it was who gave the more glamorous parts the stark background so necessary lor their enhancement. The two male roles Tommy Despard (Bert Cutler) and Robert Derring (Jack Jones) gave the play a rounded form and we will not easily l'orget Mr Jones' inebriation. The play, which was again admirably costumed commended itself by way of moral, romance and outcome. .Much appreciated piping duets by Pipers Russell Hurst and Donald McKenzie j of the Whakatane Cale-> I donian Society's. Junior Pipe Band } made for bright interludes between the act*. At the conclusion the I\ev. H. M. Bell complimented the players on their performance and thanked one and all for their attendance.