DRAMA FESTIVAL OF EASTERN W.I.’s WAS A SUCCESS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 15, Issue 54, 9 June 1950, Page 5

DRAMA FESTIVAL OF EASTERN W.l.’s WAS A SUCCESS

The annual Drama Festival sponsored by the Eastern Bay of Plenty Federation of Women’s Institutes this year at Waimana was a very great success. The smooth running of the function was a tribute to the efficiency, of the convenor, Mrs R. Withy, and also to the good work done by members of the hostess Institute.

Mrs McCallion, Federation President, opened proceedings by welcoming the adjudicator, Miss M, McDonald, of Wellington, and presented her with a spray. During the course of the Festival Miss McDonald showed her capabilities as an adjudicator in her kindly but very helpful criticisms which those concerned found very easy to take. Best Actress Mrs Dorothy Tebbutt, Taneatua, was adjudged the best dramatic actress for her part as Kathleen in “Favour is Decitful.” Mrs Grace Mortenson -received the award for the best comedy actress for her portrayal of Great Aunt Popsy in “Goose Chase.” At the conclusion of the Festival Mrs McCallion thanked Miss McDonald for her judgments which had given complete satisfaction and for the helpful hints she had given the players and the audience. She also, thanked Mrs Withy for the work she had done in connection with the -Festival.

Mrs McCalliom presented trophies which had been won and congratulated the winners.

The play chose by the adjudicator to represent the Federation at an area Festival to be held at Hamilton next month was a comedy “Green Grow the Cabbages” presented by Taneatua. Those taking part: T. Goodhew, L. Gardner, G. McDonald, D. Tebbutt, D. Shaw. Producer, L. Gardner.

The award for the best drama was won by Edgecumbe for their “Postman’s Knock.” The caster Joyce O’Brien, Frances Atkinson, Marjorie Francis, Jean Burgess, Elaine Clibborn, Margaret Webb, Oreti Stewart. Producer, B. McLean. Highly Commended

The drama “Favour is Deceitful” presented by Taneatua, was highly commended by the adjudicator as were the individual performances of Rosalind Stobbs, Jean Wilson, Muriel Hawkins, Claire Potter, Margaret Webb, Oreti Stewart and Mollie Lambert.

Apart from the winning plays the following were presented : Waimana Vintage 93 (Comedy); Edgecumbe, Mrs, Tyler’s Rival (Comedy); Waiotahi, Matrimonial Bureau (Comedy); Whakatane, Goose Chase (Comedy); Matata, In These Hard Times (Comedy); Waimana, White Blackmail (Drama).