FOUR ONE-ACT PLAYS

Lake County Mail, Issue 18, 24 September 1947, Page 5

FOUR ONE-ACT PLAYS

Queenstown Drama Group

To conclude its winter activities, the drama group of the Queenstown Girls’ Club presented four one-act plays to a capacity house in the Garrison Hall on Monday night last week. Surprisingly good histrionic ability was shown, and if there were any defects in the portrayal they were scarcely noticeable. The producer, Mr Worthington, brought out much latent talent, and Queenstown concert-goers may look forward to some worth-while performances in the future. It was unfortunate that the acoustic propetries of the hall were not favoui - able to the production. The scenic effects and dressing were excellent, but it cannot be said that they were improved by the proscenium and drop curtain. Mr Hopwood, president of the club, expressed the thanks of the promoters for the patronage extended. Following is a brief description of the four plays: — “ Far, Far Away ” was set in the kitchen of a middle-class home. Mrs J, Burton cleverly gave the impression of the old-time cook having her hour of duty reading the paper and generally keeping her culinary art in view. Miss P. Edwards was excellent as a parlourmaid. The new kitchenmaid, Penny (Miss M. Gavin) gave one the right impression—listening more to the babbling brook than the affairs of the house. The mistress (Mrs R. J. Buckham) ably kept up her part with the support of her daughter (Mrs M. Nelson) and her sister (Miss N. McAlister). “Heaven and Earth” was a clever play couched in the theme of the modern world. The main characters were Jill and Adrian. Adrian (H. Hensman) , the modern sporting youth, enveigles Jill (Miss'F. Cosgrove) into his way of thinking that love does not necessitate marriage. She believes him until her parents, realising the folly of their daughter, pretends that their real marriage state had not been at all happy, and they were going to adopt the attitude of the younger generation. This is too much for Jill, who, realising that her hitherto sheltered life was falling round her young shoulders, decides to give Adrian up. His callous ideals leave no qualms of submission, and he walks out on Jill. Jiß P roved a very at ' tractive beginner as an actress—her voice production was pleasing, and her pronunciation good. The other casts were amusing. The parents, Laura Hubbard (Mrs J. Stone) and Ernest Hubbard (Mr A. R. Wethey) were quite the discerning mother and father. “ Gossip’s Glory ” ' was a playette which seemed to lack lustre, but the atmosphere was kept alive by the village idiot, Simple Simon (Mr Worthington). His old mother (Mrs G. Buxton) held the prominent part, filling the story with the worries of her son and her trip to the Castle to glean news of the outside world. You see her chatting to the market women, Matilda (Miss E. Mcßride) and Joan (Miss T. Biggar), who both gave characteristic descriptions of life in the market place. Elca110re (Miss J. Inder), a young, impressionable girl, fell in love with all the soldiers from the Castle and, incidentally, Simple Simon. This part was attractively played by Miss Inder, “ Orange Blossom ” is set in the Duckworth’s sitting room on the day of their daughter Glad’s wedding., Mrs Duckworth (Miss 0. Christie) was splendid in her part as a dominant wife and mother who henpecked her poor little husband (R. J. Payne) at every turn. His role of submissive husband was realistic. Lola (Miss N. McAlister) and Lottie (Mrs R. J. Buckham), two spinster sisters of Mrs Duckworth, who were invited under sufferance to the wedding, showed delight when Glad (Miss Mary Munro) found that the bridegroom-to-be, Fred Ashford (Mr J. G. had for the time being altered his opinion of her and temporarily decided not to marry her that day. Both of these performers were excellent, especially Mr Forbes, whose acting was most convincing. Amy Foster, the bridesmaid (Miss Jo. Inder) added a humorous note.