ONE-ACT PLAYS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 95, 8 May 1937, Page 11

ONE-ACT PLAYS

Jeremy Collier, jnr.)

Hastings Little Theatre Latest Offering SOME FRANK COMMENT

(By

Fifteen years ago the one-act play was, save as a eurtain-raiser, virtually unlcnown. Not that such plays had not been written — they had, man'y of them • of considerable worth, but the professional theatre did not consider them possible commercially, and authors wero not encouraged to eontinue writing them. The public, aecording to the managers, did not want short plays, and that was an end of the matter. This deplorable condition has only been materilaly altered within the last few years, and then not by the professional theatre, but by the enthusiastic and intelligent outlook of ' such bands of amateur players as those working for the Little Theatre Society- on Wednesday tvening. If it were not for the efforts of such as these, combined with the work of the Drama League, both now and in tho past, audiences would not have the pleasure of witnessing this very delightful type of entertainment. It is therefore with considerable xegret that I find it necessary to say some apparently • harsh tliings about this first group of plays of the Little Theatre Society 's 1937 season, more particularly as I know how much hard work and thought must have gone' into such a production. I therefore write in a spirit Of hope and with this request — please don't make these mistakes againj all that you, actresses, actors- and producers, did, was so.good that it' is well worth while the little extra endeavour to make it better still. The first performance was a sketch, ' ' Other Tiraes — Other Manners, ' but as there were some last-minute ehanges in the cast it .would be manifestly unfair- to criticise the work. A general slackness in tempo, and an absence of that quick. tip-and-run - on which the lif e of a sketch depends, would no doubt have been avoided had the ehanges not occurred. Miss Scott did partieularly well, and managed to keep up her character while helping her partner, who was one of the victims of the change. Miss Glehny was inclined to be a little monotonous, and was not helped overmuch by Mr. Searle. Altogether there was not enough contrast in this first scene. The setting was untisual and good. - The second item was a comedy, "Mrs. Biddlecombe and the 'Furriners'." Here my complaint is mainly against the produeer. I imagine that Miss Nutter has not done much of this work — though I remember her giving an admirable performance some time ago in "Murder on the Second Floor" — and she must remember to make her cast work as a nnit. In this case, Miss Maitland 's extortionate demands should have had. an instant surprised response from the local residents — for the audience's sake if for nothing else — but this response was seldom forthcoming, and the \ points which should have been emphasised were lost. Against these odds Miss Maitland and Miss Zoe Fryer had to carry the burden of the play, which they did very well, but Miss Fryer should take some lessons in American. Mr. Farrell showed a regrettable predilection* for keeping his hands in his pockets and getting behind pieces of ' furniture. This just will not - do; an audience does not bite, and it likes to see something of the people on the stage. One would have liked to have seen and heard more of Miss Frances Nutter and Miss Wright, but the author . of the play is solely responsible for this omission, Miss Gwyn Fryer and' Miss Gowan played small parts satisfactorily, the latter being inclined to take her responses from the audience rather than the players. Miss Margaret Nutter showed distinct ability in arranging her performers to the best advantage on a small stage. Mr. Donald Davies' production of "The Waxen Man" was entirely another kettle of flsh. During the action of this play one did not think to one 's self, as is so often the case, "These amateurs are doing very well." On the contrary, one realised afterwards that the play had been a definite experience. The almost professional timing of the lines, Miss O'Neil's soft voice and deliberate movements contrasted so well with Mr. Davies ?s aimless movements and staccato speeeh, Mr. Greenwood 's purposefplness . and eventual terror, these brought real life to tho play. Contrast and logical sequenco • were admirably strossed in Mr. Davies 's production. It is all tho • more regrettable that I shall have to tell Mr Greenwood that he must get his next beard put on*by someone who knows how, and advise Miss* O'Neil to

let the expression of her face follow more closely her sympathetic voice — but I hope that they will f orgive me when I say that 1 shall not f orgct their performances, or that of Mr. Davies, for many a long day. The last play, ' ' The Folly of Faith, ' ' was exaetly right relief to follow the "Waxen Man." In this light and really amusing farce the produeer, Mrs. L. Potter, did some good . work; faulty planning of some entrances and exits did nothing actually to mar the gaiety for which she had worked, and the stage was partieularly well set. Perhaps there was not quite enough contrast between the interpretations of Miss Campbell and Miss Cassin, but this is in .the manner of an afterthought rather than an impression at the time. Miss Cassin, wbo has a charming stage presence, gave a good performance as a happy-go-lucky— oi unlucky — woman, but was a little inclined to under play, while Mr. Clifton showed the reverse tendency. Miss Campbell 's surprise was not quite marked enough, and she must keep her head up, even when she is thinking; nonetheless, she made an excellent foil to Miss Cassin and Mr. Clifton. The play was great fun — which the players appeared to enjoy as much as the addience — from beginning to end, and, as in "The Waxen Man," the give-and-take between the performers was just right — the cast worked for the benefit of the play as a whole, and not to their own ends. Incidentally, Miss TurnerWilliams was the most attractive maid I remember having seen in an amateur performance. • So good luck to the Little Theatre Society, aud may it do as well next time. The society has the right stuff and enthusiasm in its members — so get to it, I say, and put on another enter'tainment as enjoyable as this. And to the performers, what I have said was said only because I want to see you do as well as I know you can do. And, after all, its only my opinion. ^ ^ 11 11 1 3*