Junior Drama League Festival Opens

Press, Volume C, Issue 29498, 27 April 1961, Page 17

Junior Drama League Festival Opens

The junior festival of the British Drama League made a good beginning at the Linwood High School last evening, when three bright oneact plays were staged. Before the performance, the patron of the league. Miss Jean McGregor, spoke of the benefit which young actors could gain from such a festival.

The first play was a familiar one. Stanley Houghton’s comedy of misunderstandings. “The Dear Departed.” The cast was made up of rather young actors from the Kaikoura District High School. They gave a pleasing performance, which was sometimes a little too subdued, and which failed to bring out all that was in the play. The characterisation, however. was good. Shane Harris acted the part of Henry in an effective off-hand way. and John Hatchman, as Abel, quite lived up to his sensational entrance. Mary Heward, Esther Kerr, Roger Boyd, and Susan McTaggart were all obviously at home in their roles.

The play chosen by the Cashmere High School was “The Bishop’s Candlesticks.” Here an artistic effect had been aimed at. Gaia Cox and Rosemary Hyland spoke well, and moved gracefully; and Wayne Alston, as the bishop, had a quiet, dignified man-

ner. Kevin Brownlee, however, tended to keep to a consistently violent tone, and this seemed to become a trifle monotonous. The gendarmes, led by Michael Newsome, were a feature of the play. The most ambitious offering on the programme was "The Man Who Wouldn’t Go to Heaven,” presented by a large cast from Linwood High School. The play was well received by the audience, as it deserved to be, for some promising actors took part. A great deal depended on Richard Alton, the militant atheist. Here, John McNaughton acted with great conviction, although his enunciation was sometimes over forceful. Maire Locke showed that she had a real feeling for comedy, and Bill Brehaut moved and spoke with considerable assurance. John Minnery, as Toto, struck and individual note and Rory Butler gave a admirable impression of calm and wisdom. The producer, Joan M. A. Jackson, must be commended for her work in staging this long, eventful play.

The festival is not a competitive one; but at the end of each performance, Mrs Christine Batstone offered criticism and advice.

This evening’s programme will include plays presented by cases from Rangi-ruru School, and from the Christchurch Boys' High School. —C.E.S.