EVENING OF PLAYS AT WOMEN'S INSTITUES' DRAMA FESTIVAL

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 177, 13 August 1937, Page 9

EVENING OF PLAYS AT WOMEN'S INSTITUES' DRAMA FESTIVAL

The Drama Festival organised by the Northern Hawke's Bay Federation of Women's Inetitutes, commenced last evening in the Taradale Town Hall, when six plays were presented to a most enthusiastic audience. Mrs D. J. Riggir, in opening the festival, thanked all the institutes for their entries, and cominented on the fact that whereas there were only five entries last year there were eleven this year, showing tho increased interest taken; this was very gratifying. The adjudicator was Miss Hazell, who, when commenting on the plays given, said that there was a tremendous improvement on previous efforts, and sho considered the plays were wisely eliosen. She also said that the performers were to be highly commended for the quick changes of scenery, each group being ready just as soon as the adjudicator had given her criticisiu of the previous play. The plays given were as follow: — (1)'The Greenmeadows Women's Institute, "The Green Monkey •" produced by Mrs Scott. Players, Mrs McAulay, Mrs Toucher, Mrs Paton, Mrs Howarth, Mrs Scullin and Mrs Kane. The adjudicator said that there weri* some very good moments of comedy and animation. Tlie enunciation was very good, and altogether it was an extremely good effort. (2) Pakowhai AVomen's Institute, "The Bride" (by G. Jennings) ; produced by Mrs Gabrielson. Players, Gwynne Robinson, Ruth Lissett'e, Joyce Whittington, Alethea Russell, Joyce Pedersen, E. Gabrielson. "The beginning of this play- was rather slow, but it was speeded up later," remarked the adjudicator. "The performers kept fo the author's words, which was good." (3) The Havelock North Women's Institute, "Ali the Cobbler," a mime play; produced by Mrs Turner Williams. Players, Mrs Toulmin, Miss Conibs, Miss M. Turner-Willicins, Mrs Meads. ^ Commenting on this production Miss Hazel said that the introduction was very good and the costumes excellent. All the characters were splendid and extremely well maintained. A most enjoyable performauce. (4) The Eskdale Women's Institute, "Little Glass Houses," produced by Mrd AVilliams. Players, Mrs Conway, Miss Jean Blair, Mrs Saunders, Mrs King, Mrs Williams. "A very attractive costume play," said the adjudicator. "Good scenery, colourful period costumes and excellent characterisation made for a most enjoyable play." (5) The Taradale Women's Institute, "Cupid in a Hat Shop,'' produced by Mrs McDonald. Players, Mrs SimpeassmemeaaaamaecKe: ENGAGEMENT The engage'metit is announced of Dorothy Gene, third daughter of Mrs and Mr Yelverton * Hope-Johnstone (late 18th Royal Irisli Regiment), of Auckland; to Irederick Godfrey, son of Mrs J. J. Faulkher, Hastings, H.B. and the late Frederick Ashton Price, Esq., Ranginui, Papatoetoe,.

kins, Mrs Dawe, Mrs Monk, 'Mrs Johnson, Mrs Robinson, Mrs McDonald, Mrs Arnold. Commenting on this play Miss Hazel said that it was a very enjoyable light comedy which went over very well and everyone enjoyed it. (6) The Haumoana Women '*s Institute in "The lncorruptible" (by Thobe M. Reid) ; produced by Mrs W. Neil60U. Players, Mrs J. J. Gatenby, Miss Hiraani Scott, Miss Souia AVatson, Miss Kafchleen Sbmmerville, Miss Margarefc Glenny, Mr James Secker. "Ilnrrah for a man," exelaimed tlie adjudicator, when commenting on this play, and she added that she lioped more men would appear in the cast of plays to be given in the future. The costumes and make-up of the performers in this play were very good, and the play itself was presented in a splendid manner. Miss Hazell had been asked to decide the best individual performance of the evening, and she announced Mrs Williams as the winner, for her performance of Madame Rossignol in "Little Glass Houses." Mrs Williams was presented by th.e adjudicator with a eharming bouquet. The runner-up was Misa M. TurnerWilliams, as "Mnstopha" in the mime play, "Ali the Cobbler."