DRAMA FESTIVAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 214, 10 August 1937, Page 12

DRAMA FESTIVAL

MANAWATU BRANCH. . The annual festival of community drama held under the auspices of the Manawatu branch of the British Drama League opened in the Opera House last evening, three excellent plays being presented to a large and appreciative audience. The competition concludes to-night, when tlie result will be announced. The winning team will proceed to Hdwera to compete in the North Island elimination festival. The following teams appeared last evening : Pohangina Women’s Institute in “King’s Soil, Churl’s Son” (Jane Cran). Cast: Miss J. Sinclair (Meg of the Forest); Mrs J. Moar (Dickson, a natural) ; Mr C. Thomson (the Stranger); Mrs Orgins (Hope Stillford). Scene: Interior of herb gatherer’s liut between moor and village. Period: Early summer, 1644. Producer: Mrs S. T. Bristow. Associate producer: Mrs Moar. Marton Players in “The Charlady and the Angel” (Horace Ship). Cast: Mrs G: Birch (Mrs Ellis, the charlady); Miss I. Crooke (Mrs HatlierlingCarter); Mr G. Birch (the Angel); Mrs N. Rixtrot (Miss Begli) ; Mr E. Maclean (Mr Donne, the Curite); Mr Ledger Holmes (the Dean); Mr R. Kingdon (Mr Hatherling-Carter). Scene: Mrs HatherliSigt-Qvrter’s idrawing-room in Kensington Gore. Time: The present. Producer: Miss B. Oroolte. Palmerston North Little Theatre Society in “A Privy Council” (Lieut.Colonel W. P. Drury and Richard Pryce). Cast: Mr It. Rees (Samuel Pepys, Esq.); Mr G. H. Lusk (Sir Christopher Mings): Air A. E. R. Joblin (Sir William Killigrew); Miss P. Harman (Airs Pepys); Miss Elsie Sandman (Alereer the Maid); Aliss Pat Burgess (a chambermaid); Aliss G. Curtis (Airs Knipp, of the King’s playhouse). Scene; Dining-room of Air Pepys’ house in Seething Lane, Crutched Friars. Period: About 1665.

The opportunity was taken by Air G. G. Priest to extend a welcome to Aliss Elizabeth Loe, tutor to the British Drama League and judge at the festival. He said it was a source of gratification to note tlio interest being taken in drama, particularly in the schools.

Miss Loc acknowledged the welcome and said she was there to help to improve the standard of acting and production. Her remarks were meant to be helpful and not destructive. At the finish of each play she offered her criticisms.

Tlie stage management was in tho hands of Air J. Rcnwiek.