"Mrs. Methuselah" Received Enthusiastically

Chronicle (Levin), 2 September 1949, Page 4

"Mrs. Methuselah" Received Enthusiastically

The comedy-winning .play in the Women's Institute drama . f estival recently, and second (equal) m the Manawatii f estival of the British Drama League, "Mrs. Methuselah," received an enfchusiastic reception when it was again staged by the Levin Women's Institute in the College Hall on Wednesday night. » The cast really excelled itself, turning on its best performance. Supporting iuems were given by visitmg and local artists and these were very well received by the audience, which, although not representing a capacity house, was a large and enthusiastic one. Most outstanding. of the supportihg artists was the young singer, Miss Beryl Booth, leading soprano in the Palmerston North production, "Katinka," recently. Miss Booth charmed the ' audience with a bracket of songs. All the other artiste were also recalled. Those taking part were:— -Mrs. E. Coleman and Miss Phyllis Robinson (pianoforte duet) ; Mr. Frank Baumber (song) ; Miss Beryl Booth (song) ; Miss M. Cranston (humour in story) ; Mr. Evers (violin solo) ; Mrs. H. A. Osborne (humour at the piano) ; and Mr. Frank Anderson (song). The accompanists were Mrs. R. Maher and Miss Mysie Anderson. The cast of "Mrs. Methuselaii" was: — Bessie Anderson, Ellen "Bo-' water, Gladys Hudson, Ellen Perigo, Kathleen Black, Margaret Kirkcaldie, and Elsie Pickering. The producer was Mrs. M. I. Powell. Later in the evening the president of the Levin Women's Institute, Mrs. Powell, thanked the artists for assisting in making the- evening such a successful ope and, on behalf of the president of the president of the" Levin Red Cross Society, Mrs. F. W. Wilson, who was unavoidably absent, Mrs. Powell also extended thanks . to all and to the audience for its support. Many pareels would be sent to England as the result of the function, she said. At a social gathering after the performance the visitors were entertained at supper. The opportunity was then taken by the secretary of thc Levin Red Cross, Mrs. A. W. Parton, to thank the Levin institute foi donating half the proceeds of the- function for its pareels to Britain fund.