Intense “Elektra” By Local Playwright

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31116, 20 July 1966, Page 14

Intense “Elektra” By Local Playwright

A new, hard-hitting version] of the classic Elektra theme] by the Christchurch playwright Brian Gallas was one of the high points of an evening of good theatre presented by the Elmwood Players at the Elmwood Playhouse last evening.

Mr Gallas’s “Elektra,” an intense study of the daughter whose incestuous fixation to revenge her father’s death finally unhinged her mind, was the first of three excellent one-act plays. Oscar Wilde’s “Salome” and George Bernard Shaw’s “The Dark Lady of the Sonnets” were also presented. Mr Gallas spared none of the blood and gore of the tragedy in his powerful production, but it was in the insight into the demented Elektra’s insane hatred, and its acid and skilful delineation that the play’s strength lay.

Judy Scollay admirably met the challenge set her by the playwright She gave her part a fire borne of madness, and her strong performance was vivid, yet filled with a delicate measure of pathos. Helen O’Grady gave a sensitive interpretation of a famous role when she played the lead in Wilde’s “Salome.” The sudden changes of mood which the part demands were extremely well handled. Miss O’Grady’s fine, sharp voice drew every ounce of evil and hatred from her lines.

The large cast was admirably controlled, and careful grouping intensified many of the dramatic incidents. The sets and costuming of this play were striking, and showed considerable attention to detail. If some of the lesser parts were spoken with a lack of conviction, this was more than compensated for by Miss O’Grady’s fine portrayal of Salome, and Keith Cooke’s delicate handling of the part of Herod.

For sparkling comedy and brisk repartee, Shaw is hard to beat. A well-balanced cast presented a delightfully exuberant version of Shaw’s "Dark Lady.” The comedy which Shaw so brilliantly created came to life again in some dexterous exchanges between Chris Howell as Shakesspeare and Sue Ryan as Queen Elizabeth I. A simple set provided an ideal backing for the well-known play. The lighter mood of Shaw’s wit was something of a relief after the incest murder, hatred, and blood of the two ] earlier plays. Perhaps that was an added reason for the audience’s sympathy for this fine presentation. This was an evening of good theatre. The season will run every evening until Saturday. —D. B.