DUNEDIN REPERTORY SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 22143, 25 September 1935, Page 4

DUNEDIN REPERTORY SOCIETY

SUCCESSFUL SOCIAL EVENING The Concert Chamber was filled to capacity on Monday evening, when the Dunedin Repertory Society held its monthly social evening. These evenings have become most popular, and members look forward to them from month to month. The hall on Monday last was charmingly decorated with spring flowers, golden narcissi and daffodils being used in profusion, and against the background of brightly-hued table covers made a, very pretty colour scheme. _ Mr Smith presided in the absence of the chairman (Mr W. R. Brugh), and in his opening remarks commented most favourably on the coming performance of ‘ The Skin Game,’ which commences this evening. He thanked all those who had assisted to make the dance given last week as a farewell to Mr Russell Napier such an outstanding success. The next meeting of the technical circle will be held on October 9, and there will be no meetings of groups during the coming week. The programme for the evening consisted of three one-act plays. The first, entitled ‘ When the Drums Have Ceased,’ by Miss Jean Lennox, was of particular interest, as it had won the Lady Ferguson trophy at the recent British Drama League competition. In this play Miss Lennox drew her plot from a scene in the Great War. She handled some very dramatic scenes very well indeed, showing an excellent appreciation of their Value. < More' will certainly bo heard of this gifted young playwright. An excellent cast helped considerably towards the success of the play. The parts were allotted as follow:—Gail Mannering, Miss Dorothy Clark; Richard Mannering, Mr Ken. Palmer; Larry O’Shea, Mr R. Nancarrow; Ada, Mrs E. Calder; Phillips, Mr Martin Finlay. The play was produced by Mr Douglas Dali, and at the close the author responded to a call from the audience.

The second play, 1 Between the Soup and the Savoury,’ by Gertrude Jennings, was in the nature of a comedy, and. called forth much spontaneous laughter from the audience. The parts were taken by:—The Cook, Miss Lilian McCarthy; the Housemaid, Miss Doris Wallace Watson; Emily, Miss Una Ferry. The producer in this case was Mr D. Skene.

The concluding play,' ‘ The Actress,’ by Vernon Sylvaine, was a triumph of farcical comedy, and left the audience in very good humour. The parts were well allotted to:—The Actress, Mrs John Hamer; the Husband, Air H. Henderson; the Son, Air D. E. MacAvoy; the Maid, Miss Erana Newbold. Mrs Hamer was responsible for some excellent acting, her make-up in the first scene being particularly effective. She was ably supported by Miss Newbold, who made the most o£ the smaller part. The part of the blustering husband was excellently filled by Mr Henderson. Supper was served in' a most efficient manner by the members of the Social Committee Tinder the direction of Mrs E. T. Moller, and an hour’s dancing concluded a most enjoyable evening.