DUNEDIN PLAYBOX

Evening Star, Issue 23379, 23 September 1939, Page 21

DUNEDIN PLAYBOX

The Playbox Clubroom was decorated with large bowls of pussy-willow and flowering currant on Tuesday evening, when a triple bill of one-act plays was staged before a crowded and enthusiastic audience. The hostesses were the Misses Ursula Brocherie, Eileen Houston, and Rollo. The first play was ‘ Anti-clock wise.’ a compact little drama which captivated the audience from the outset, the players being successful in'creating and sustaining an atmosphere of pending tragedy. Mrs Lance Griffiths added to her reputation as a character actress by giving a life-like impersonation of a thoroughly disagreeable and querulous old woman. In striking contrast to this was Miss Dulcio Hazelwood’s interpretation of the unfortunate niece, who finally became so exasperated that she murdered her aunt. It was a sound and restrained piece of work. Miss Maiona Juriss did good work as a doctor. but should have been more downright in her attitude towards the niece. Miss Jean Huddart did satisfactory work in the remaining part. The play was well staged and produced by A. C. Stevens.

The second play was an hilarious affair entitled ‘ The Night Porter.’ _ It had little literary value, but provided Mr Lionel Stephens with great opportunities to display his ability as a comedian, and he made the most of the part. A tendency to talk through laughs was responsible for the loss of some good lines, but the audience was in a continual uproar from the outset. Miss Alice Clarke lent strong personality to her part, and Mr Thomas Tarrant provided some excellent comedy touches of a lighter kind. Mr Cecil Oaten filled a minor part creditably. In the final play, ‘ Fumed Oak,’ by Noel Coward, some excellent work was done. The play is quite unconventional,

and its content rather startling, but withal it is a brilliantly written short play which will take a permanent place in the repertory of the amateur theatre. As the wife whose nagging finally drove her husband away from his home and family, Mrs Richard Hill gave a fine performance; the changing moods of the character were presented .with almost consummate artistry. It was an extremely difficult role, and Mrs Hill handled it excellently. The part of the husband was played by Mr A. C. Stephens, who did very good work, which was only wanting in vigour in ono or two places. A perfect cameo of child impersonation came from Mrs Oswald Garden as the schoolgirl. As the fault-finding mother-in-law, Mrs T. Nelson gave a lively performance, < a little too lively at times, but a_creditable and conscientious characterisation. The play was produced with customary attention to detail by Mr Russell-Wood.