JUNIOR DRAMA FESTIVAL

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28269, 6 May 1957, Page 2

JUNIOR DRAMA FESTIVAL

Four Schools Give Varied Fare

The junior festival of the Christchurch and North Canterbury area of the British Drama League was concluded at the Repertory Theatre on Saturday evening. Four schools took part, and the programme was again varied.

Thornton Wilder’s “Happy Journey to Trenton and Camden” was presented by a group of players from the Christchurch Technical College. Everything in “The Happy Journey” depends upon realising the novelty of the situation and portraying the behaviour of this typical American family of nearly 50 years ago. The general impression conveyed to the audience was good, except for the few minutes before the final curtain, when Beulah and “Ma” Kirby became quite incomprehensible. The cast was a well-chosen one, and Lesley Parratt and Alan Broomhall acted with real understanding of the possibilities of their roles.

The spirit with which “The Golden Mean” was played by a cast drawn from the Shirley Intermediate School gave the audience many enjoyable moments. With such enthusiasm did these very young actors enter into their parts that it was obvious that they had completely forgotten their everyday selves. Louis XIII, played by Langdon Bliss, was overpoweringly regal and bluff, and lan Murray as the prince really needed to do nothing more than light up and smoke his pipe, which he did many times, to be a real success. The Christchurch Boys’ High School play “Shivering Shocks” was remarkable for the tremendous explosion with which a pistol went off in the first part of the play. After this experience it was understandably difficult to make out what was being said by the actors, who by contrast all seemed ratner subdued. Scenes from Sheridan’s “School for Scandal” were presented by pupils of Sacred Heart Girls’ College. Great pains had been taken with the setting and costumes, and the performance was generally pleasing. However, it must be pointed out that if players are to portray affected characters on stage, they must take special pains to ensure that the audience really follows their lines.

As Sir Peter, Elizabeth Garrett acted confidently, and Janice Park made a graceful Lady Teazle. Good performances were also given by Patricia Berwick and Helen Matthams.

Throughout the festival, Mrs J. Bull made comments and offered suggestions at the end of each play. —C.E.S.