Three Plays Presented By Otaki Players

Chronicle (Levin), 27 May 1949, Page 2

Three Plays Presented By Otaki Players

Three interesting ' dne-act plays were presented by the Otaki Players at their monthly meeting in May at the Druids' Hall. "Riders to the Sea" by J. M. Synge, in which the stark tragedy of the sea's toll on an Irish fisher family was presented with understanding and commendable capture of atmosphere. Mrs. Beck as the bereaved mother gave a reading admirable for its interpre'tation of a eharacter steeped in fatalism. "The Monkey's Paw," hy W. W. Jacobs, depicts the granting of

three wishes through the agency of a monkey's paw. The first wish is granted at tragic cost, the sequel to which is resolved by the granting of the two remaining wishes ranging into the " realm of the supernatural. Dramatic tension almost unparalleled in the theatre is created with a masterly economy of lines. Miss P. Fogden and Mr. Blackburn carried the major roles with excellent interpretive balance, building up to the climax with a good sense of control and graduation. : . ' "The Green Monkey" offered a hilarious contrast to the Jacobs play and provoke'd unrestrained laughter. The timing throughout the play was very good and Miss H. Lea and Mr. C. Henderson capably sustai'ned the tempo throughout the reading. It is planned to continue these dramatise-d readings throughout the year' and they will alford an excellent opportunity for residents interested to become acquainted with a considerable number and variety of plays. These evenings are now open to the public.