CONTRASTING PLAYS

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 84, 5 October 1940, Page 16

CONTRASTING PLAYS

REPERTORY THEATRE ENTERTAINMENT

PROCEEDS TO PATRIOTIC

FUNDS

Red cloaks over bulky black dresses j and coloured gingham aprons, white kerchiefs, and high black hats were worn by the villagers in a witch play, which commenced the social evening i given by the Wellington Repertory [Theatre at St. Francis Hall last night.. Of the three one-act plays produced, the first, "A Rogue in Bed," by Ronald Elvy Mitchell, was placed third lin the recent Centennial Drama Fes[tival. The scene was the interior kitchen of a cottage in North Wales, the action taking place towards the end of the last century, careful detail being observed in the typical furnishing of ithe cottage. The cast included Marjgaret Da vies (as the rogue in bed), Iris Wright (as her daughter), and Ailsa Newton, Mona Brien, Nona Goldi ing, Joyce Martin, Mary Shaw, Iredale [Turner, Alice Woodhouse, Jespie For- [ syth, and Daisy Isaacs (as the villagers) . Miss Isaacs was also the producer. "Afternoon," by Philip Johnson, produced by Cedric Gardiner, was a contrast, having a modern setting. The scene, a drawing-room in a country house on a summer afternoon, was comfortably, furnished, with sunny glimpse of garden through French windows. Summer afternoon frocks were appropriately worn by Ngaire Thompson (as the mother-in-law), V. Wilson (as the wife), and by Natalie Whiteman (as the modern daughter). Robert Charlton impersonated the Major. Much amusement was caused by the final play, the Crusader Scene from "1066 And All That," by Reginald Arkell, based on the well-known book by Sellar and Yeatman. The scene was the bower of the castle, and very colourful were the silk, gold embroidered, historical gowns of the period worn by the wife and her ladies-in-waiting. The crusader, in chain mail, tunic, and cloak, and troubadour in vivid garb of the period were a contrast to the plain clothing worn by the serving man and woman. The players were Joan Kaywood, Lois Davys, Gwenneth Bearsley, Ralph ! Hogg, Don Priestley, G. F. Vincent, and Molly Denton. A POPULAR EVENT. Although not such a large audience as is usual, the hall was for all that well filled, for the social evenings are aways a popular event, and besides,, aid patriotic purposes, the proceeds being allocated to patriotic funds. Songs were sung by Mrs. Merle Gamble, accompanied by Mrs. Chas. McDonald, who also, with Misses Ormi Reid and Olga Burton, provided incidental music. An orchestra provided music for dancing, which took place after supper had been served. The hostess for the evening was Mrs. F. A. Millar, assisted by Mesdames A. Mack, J. S.^ Meadowcroft, C. E. Cundy, Lewis Meadowcroft, and Misses Phyllis Robinson and Marjorie Rose.