FINALS OF W.I. ANNUAL DRAMA FESTIVAL

Chronicle (Levin), 20 June 1947, Page 4

FINALS OF W.I. ANNUAL DRAMA FESTIVAL

' Levin and Paremata Take Main Prizes' ■■ ^ The twelfth annual drama festival conducted by the Southern Wellington Fedesation Of Women's Institutes ended in Levin last night, when the final three plays , were presented to a record house. At the cbnclusion of the perforhiances, the adjudicator, Mr. W. J/ Mountjoy, of Napier, reviewed the various plays presented during the festival1 and awarded, the first prize for drama to the Levin W.I. and first prize for comedy to the Paramata W.I. Levin and Plimmerton tied for second place in comedy.' The second prize for drama went to the Junior Circle of the Levin W.I. The following were the successful productions: — Drama "Flickering Light" (Levin W.I.). Pr'oducer: Mrs. A. A. Savell. Cast: Mesdames Hesp, Perigo, Kircaldie, K. Black and Mr. G. Nichol 1. 7 "All Night Service" (Levin Junior Circle) . Producer: Beth Blenkhorn. Cast: Misses Dorthy Johnso'n, - Shirley Johnson, Rosamond Biacklaws, Monica Clapcott, Jean Bowden, Moya POWell and Judith Perigo 2. Comedy ■ "The Willing Horse" (Paramata W.I.) . Producer: Mrs. Power. Cast: Mesdames D. Sarich, I. Robertson, E. Telfer; M. Oestro, H. Rigger, I. Sinclair, P. Gestro, Misses Pat Whyborn . and Master Gerard Power 1. "Daughters of Invention" (Plimmerton W.I.) . Producer: Mrs. J. Delicate. Cast: Mesdames G. Tomlinson, E. Wilse, A. Pearce, P. Wiltshire, A. Weake and J. Delicate. "The Curse of Cairo" (Levin W.I.) . Producer: Mrs. A. A. Savell. Cast: Mesdames Wilki'nson, Bott, Nichol, Bowater, Johnson and Miss R. Williams 2 (equal). Actress.es mentioned by -Mr. Mountjoy as particularly outstanding were: Mrs. Hunter as "Mrs. Bennett" in the Otaki W.I. production, "Thereby Hangs a Tale"; Mrs. Hewitson as "Rose" in the same production; Mrs. D. Sarich as "Miss Wilkes" in the Paremata production, "The Willing Horse"; Mrs. I. Robertson as "Jane Fraser" and Mrs. M. Gestro as "Mrs. King," all of the same production; Mrs. E. Wilse as "Nellie" and Mrs. J. Delicate as "Flossie" in the Plimmerton . production, "Daughtertf of Invention"; Dorothy Johnson as "Molly Henslowe" and Rosamond Biacklaws as "Jill Watson" in the Levin Junior Circle's "All Night Service"; and Mrs. Bowater as "The Woman on the Bicycle" in the Levin W.I.'s "Curse of Cairo." Disappointed in Drama " He"' Was disappointed in the dramatical plays, which he considered were not up to the standard achieved in other years, said the adjudicator. The comedy productions had been stronger. Though he had been unhappy about the drama he was delighted with the comedy. He placed "Flickering Light" first, not because it was entirely sat'isfactory but because it was the most evenly produced and acted. It had a reasonably effective climax. "All Night Service" was also highly praised by Mr. Mountjoy, particularly for its setting. Without a doubt Paremata's production of "The Willing Horse" was the best performance of -that play he had seen, said Mr. Mountjoy. He was also loud in his praise of Mrs. Sarich's portrayal of "Miss Wilks." There were no weak characters in this play. He had decided to "tie" the other two comedies, though had the pace been better he might have placed "Daughters of Invention" second. "The Curse of Cairo" had been good, particularly the performance of Mrs. Bowater. In conplusion, he paid a tribute to the work of the institutes in fostering and encouraging drama. After presenting the trophies, to the winning teams, the vice-presi-dent of the federation, Mrs. K. Grant, thanked the members of the audience for turning out in such large numbers. It was very gratifying to see the growth of public interest in the drama festivals, and she trusted that it would be kept alive. She was particularly pleased at the success of the Paremata branch. It was the "baby" of the federation, being only one.year old and this was its first attempt at staging a play. The standard of Wednesday night's play was maintained in the [ three final performances last night, the Levin Junior Circle's production being particularly outstanding. In Rosamond Biacklaws and Dorothy Johnson Levin has two young actresses of promise. "AU Night Service" Attempting to live^lup to her ofhce's tradition that "Clayton's Never Close," a young employee is forced to forsake an important "date" with a neyvly-found boy. ffiend, and after her assistant has answered a hoax call to a hospital is called on to frustrate an attempt by a bogus policewoman to rob her of valuable\manuscripts belonging to the firm. "111 fill you so full of lead that they'll have to hoist you Up . with a crane,'* 'cracks the policewoman, but this fate is spared the heroine ("Molly Henslowe") by the timely appearance of the "Great Lady" (Mrs. Clayton), who not only transpires to be the aunt of the. neglected boy friend, but reveals a -kindly heart by allowing the girl to keep her appointmemt" v/hile she remains in the office all night, thus maintaining the tradition of the firm. ' The producer was Miss B. Blenkhorn and the cast: "Mollie Hens-

loe," Dorothy Johnson'; "Arin Whyte," Shirley Johnson; "Jill Watson," Rosamond Biacklaws; "Miss Mitton," Monica Clapcott; "Mrs. Hatchard," Jean Bowden;. "A Policewoman," Moya Powell; "A Great Lady," Judith Perigo. : The settjng of this play was highly praised by the adjudicator, as were .the costumes and presentation. He congratulated "the players on a "very fine performance." The make up of "Mrs. Clayton" had not given her sufficient age. There was some very promising acting seen. "Miss Mittens" had made ' good changes, but had overemphasised her words a little.- Mrs. Hatchard had had a very small jPart, but had done well. ThY j policewoman had a good change gi\ voice, but had not been tough enough when her real identity had been revealed. The production of a revolver had not been dramatic enough.' The play. had dragged in places and there was a tendency to recite lines.' "Jill" had a good sophisticated style and a good walk. Though "Mollie" had at first been difficult to hear, and had not been too steady at* the beginning, she had improved and quickly settled down. Altogether it had been a very creditable performance. "A Paymaster in Every Family" Presented by the Te Horo W.I., this play portrayed the' difflculties of "Anne," the youngest and hardest working member of an English household, to break away from family ties and marry the man of her ^ heart, who unfortunately, resided in New Zealand. Fearing that they would be deprived of the services of her „ daughter, the rtiother, supported by .other memberS of the household, attempt to force her -into a marriage with a wealthy middle-aged * landowner who resides close by. "He's 50 years- old, and owns a lot of property. You'll probably live to be a widow," exclaims the mother in one of her frequent "heart to heart talks." The girl soon sees the situation in its true perspective and makes a dramatic exit. The producer was Mrs. M. E. Spiers and the cast: "Grandma," Mrs. M. Mills; "Mrs. Polloek," Mrs. M. Speirs; "Betty," Miss Peggy Morgan; "Anne," Miss Nona Smith; "Mrs. James," Mrs. ' M. „ Johnson. Ihe important point in a play of this nature was the working out of changes of moods, commented the adjudicator. Mrs. Pollock's performance had been quite good, but changes in tone of spe'ech would have improved it. The voices of two actresses in the play tended to drop away at the end of. speeches. The sister, Betty, had .made an intglligent portrayal of an unlikeable character. "Grandma" had also portrayed her part very well, as also .had. "AnnA-.-'Mr. Mountjoy warnefi' against the practice of baclcing and restless moyeme/its, as this was irritating to audiences. "The Curse of Cairo" Her passion for collecting old curios, and heeding the whisperings of fortune tellers, soon results m che principle actor in this comedy being so swayed by a'bloodcurdling story of the fates of possessors of a certain Egyptian statuette, which she had bdught at a sale for £16, that she gladly hands it over to an accomplice of the fortune teller, together with an extra £5. The most amusing incidents follow the arrival of the accomplice on a green bicycle, and her communication with the spirits, who allegedly direct her- to take the statuette, together with the £5, and give it all to charity, stating that otherwise the family will die within five days. .The producer was Mrs. A. A. Savell (Levin W.I.) and the cast comprised : "Aunt Rowena," Mrs. Wilkinson; "Jill Craven," Miss R. Williams; "Gynthia Craven," Mrs. Bott; "Loreley Craven," Mrs. Nichol; "The Woman on the Bicycle," Mrs. Bowater; and "The Cook," Mrs. Johnson. Improvements could have been made in the settings, said Mr. Mountjoy. "Jill" needed more vigour at times. "Loreley Craven" was inclined to be a little too jerky, whereas she should have been "fluttery." She^ was inclined . to stand too long in one place for a person of her nature. Tne diaiogue was inclined to go flat at times. There was some good grouping, particularly, at the encj. "Aunt Rowena" had played her role very well. "Cynthia" had been difficult to hear at times, and she should also have watched her attitude when standing. First Night In Levin The following were Mr. Mountjoy 's comments on the plays presented on the first night in Levin. "Flickering Light" A dramatic play set in the sitting room of a small flat, "Flickering Light" was produced by Mrs. a. A. Savell and presented by the Levin W*I. The cast was: "Mrs. Golightly," Mrs. Hesp; "Mary Spence," Mrs. Perigo; "Mollie Davis," Mrs. Kircaldie; "Roberta Devizes," Mrs. K. Black; "Sergeanc Owen Crumpton," Mr. G. Nichol. "This play depended on developing an atmosphere of tension, and on the interest of the characters," said Mr. Mountjoy. The play did not completely succeed. it required a more detailed and imaginative understanding of the psychology of the characters, and more variation in vocal tone and in rhythm and pace. The production was smooth and did not drag at any stage, and the movements on the whole were good. "Therebv Hangs a Tale" Presented by the Otaki W.I., this play was set in a cafe. The cast (Continued, on Page 8)

W.I. DRAMA FESTIVAL

. (Continued from Page 4) TownroW;1' "Woman Owner of the Cafe,'; Mrs. Empson; "Irisj" Miss P. Ralph; "Mary," Mrs. Moss; "Mrs. * Benhett,"" Mrs. Hunter; "Rose," Mrs. Hewitson. The produeer was Mrs. Grower. "Here were have two very good characterisations— those of Mrs. Bennett' and 'Rose.' Both of these actresses. revealed their character in their movements as well, as their voices, a'nd gave a very cbrivincing performance," said the adjudicator. "Som&, ,,of- the characters needed to spe'ak up more. and at times were not taken up" quickly enough. The dialogue coiild - also have been f aster." "Evervone Comes to Mabel" The scene for this play, presented by. the Levin W.I. junior circle, was the drawing room of the Knowles' house in London. " The produeer was Miss Beth Blenkhorn and the cast coinprised: "Esther," Jean Bowden; "Faith Camberley," Margaret McDonald; "Daphne," Monica Clapcott; "Mabel Knowles," Joan Newman; "Sonia Lancaster," May HarrisOn; "Pearl Willison,'.' Dorothy Johnson ; and "Desemona Cia'nvelli," Moya Powell. ^ It was,pleasing to see a junior team doing such "good work, said the adjudicator fn -the eourse of his remarks. He suggested to 'the actresses that ■ they pay more attention to ways oL . walking, standing and sitting. "In a farce of this type the characters can be exaggerated and made more deflnite types," he added. The players did however, succeed in entertaining the audience, and this was. what they had set* out to do.