Levin Playwright Addresses Otaki Players

Chronicle (Levin), 22 August 1949, Page 2

Levin Playwright Addresses Otaki Players

An interesting evening was' prpvided ior members of the Otdki Players recently -when Mrs. H. Sweetzer, of Levin, gave an address on "Some Aspects of Play Writing." Covering her practical experience in dramatic writing with a variety of humorous incidents she pointed out tlie many pitfalls often encountered by amateur writers. • Mrs. Sweetzer emphasised her belief that the ability- to' create dramatic story and character was not a rare gift possessed by oniy a icw, but was latent in most people who were interested in the art. She counselled her hearers to attempt writing and was generously confident that in such an enthusiastic group as the, "Otaki Players, abiiity oi a worth whiie nature would be revealed -to the mutual advantage of all members. In expressing the audience's appreciation and thanks to Mrs.. Sweetzer, the presid&nt, Mr. A. G. Kirkwood, mentioned the variety and quality of Mrs. Sweetzer's work which he had seen, and expressed the wish that .an opportunity woLLd present itself for Mrs. Sweetzer to bring a further example of her work forward for production under her direction.

une otaki Players then gave a dramatised reading of "Heaven Favours Fools" by Mrs. Sweetzer — a tense one-act play centred on the theme of illicit drug distribution. In a well balanced work for four characters, a Cockney maid in the fervour of a revivalist meeting unwittingly puts the police on the track of her employers which re-uits in their hasty disappearance. The play carries tension throughout and builds up to a very eiiective climax at its conclusion. • The audience of 50 showed its appreciation of this play by Mrs. SvYJe-zer and conflrmed the view that a further example of this tu'.entcd writer's work would be greatly appreciated. The players v/e-e: — Megan: Mrs. F. Wilson; Trixie: Mrs. R. Buxton; Harold: Mr. Blackburn; Nigel: Mr. Kirkwood. >