BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE

Press, Volume C, Issue 29500, 29 April 1961, Page 12

BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE

Junior Festival Ends The junior festival of the British Drama League, which has been held in the Linwood High School assembly hall this week, ended last evening with a spectacular play based on Maori legend This play. “Maui and the Sun God” furthers the league's aims in that it is the work of a schoolboy. John Davis, who also played the part of Maui in it. The dialogue in "Maui and the Sun God” was well sustained and convincingly spoken. The characters were varied: some were young, and one typified extreme old age The settings and the costumes were the most original of all seen in this festival.

Nine players from the Shirley Boys’ High School enacted the story of the taming of the sun god. They were all good, but Warren Helm. Neil Mitchell. John Turner, and John Davis gave excellent performances for schoolbo vs.

Earlier in-the programme a group from the Christchurch West High School appeared in "The Dear Departed" There was some lively acting in this play: but Robert Russell. as Abel Merryweather, held the stage. Pleasing performances were also given by Carole Hindess. Leonie Carr, and Beverley Cherry The Papanui High Schoo! play. "The Apple Tree.” was colourful It has a most unusual theme “The Apple Tree" is a morality play, and the cast, although rather young, handled it very well There was a contrast in voices which is most effective in a play of this kind The leading parts were plaved by John Beardsall. Graham Cherry. David Spivey, and Terry O’Callaghan. —C.E.S.