ONE-ACT PLAYS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 260, 1 August 1942, Page 10

ONE-ACT PLAYS

Community Drama Festival

The eleventh annual festival of the Wellington area of the British Drama. League opened at. the Concert Chamber last eventug before a fairly large audience, who manifested a lively interest; in the manner in which five ot the groups enacted the one-act plays ot their choice. The adjudication was in the hands of Miss Helen (lard uer. Hie various groups and the plays presented were as follows: — , ~ Wellington East Old Girls pi-amatic Society in "Dark Betrothal, by 1. B. Morris, produced by Helen Mitt-hell. Players: Esme Grindred, Noeune My Gowan. Marjorie Stone, Z. L ' lla Ngaire Hollies, Beryl . McMillan, Nola Millar, and Noeline Myers. Miss Gard - ner said this was an histone little play, off the beaten track. It was perhaps an unfortunate choice as in such plays much attention had to be paid to the period fashions, which should always be correct. The audibility was not good, as the voices were all pitched too low. Pins and Needles Drama Group in "Slow Curtain,” by Sydney and Muriel Bov Produced by Bernard Jones. IT.-ivers: Myra Flab, Jean Bell, Helena Sullivan, Nell Sergeant, Doris Gregory, 'and Alma . Newman. In the opinion of. the adjudicator, the presentation showed a poor standard of production, and on that account was very disappointing. Ihe diction was not good, though bloper, wu> did not overact, was good m parts. Inc scene did not look like the dressing-room of a theatre, . and the theatrical atmosphere or feeling was lacking. . Elizabeth Combs Drama Group in ■'World Without Men,” by Philip Johnson. Producer, Mrs. E. Harris. PlayersMesdames Al. J. Shepherd, Burrell, M. Hayman, M. Dowse, L. Gibson, Kay, and \. Grace. This was a neat comedy, said Miss Gard ner, well made, and . m action smooth flowing. It was obvious, too, that .some attention had been given to detail. L’liere was a good variety ot characterization and the variety ot tone employed liv the players was pleasing. Pins and Needles Drama „ Group m "When the Whirlwind Blows, by Essex Daue. Producer, E. Major. PlayersRo«e Lawrence, Eileen Heathcote, and Thelma Cosgrove. Commenting upon this presentation. Miss Gard’uer remarked that while some attention had been paid to the setting and lighting, this good little play was not. suited to the players. It called fur people with greater stage efficieiicv. Contrary lo not being heard, evervoiie spoke too loudly and all pitched their voices too high, so much so that j. became exhausting. A foreign accent should not be attempted unless most skilfully done; better leave dialect out altogether than to attempt it ineffectually. fVlie pluy was too difficult for tile playets. Peter Pan Players in "Tangled Skeins,” by Herman Ould. Producer, A. E. Farrant. Players—Nina Jessen, Shirley Bennett. Sarah Tickuer, M. S. Butterton, L. M. L. Hunt, Elizabeth Farrant, and Alan Jessen. This was- an early Victorian playlet, with good attention paid to the costuming, but the players were hardly equal to the niceties ot the stilted Victorian dialogue. The players were not glib in their parts, and the action dragged. The festival will be continued this afternoon, and evening.