DRAMA FESTIVAL

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 215, 11 August 1937, Page 13

DRAMA FESTIVAL

LITTLE THEATRE SOCIETY WINS. The fourth annual festival of community drama, conducted by the Alanavvatu area of the British Drama League, concluded in the Opera House last night. The winning play was “A Privy Council,” presented by the Palmerston North Little Theatre Society, and this team will proceed to Hawera to compote in the. North Island elimination festival in September. “The Charlady and the Angel,” staged by the Marton PJayers, winch was placed second, was omy one point behind, and the adjudicator, '.Lss Elizabeth Loe, in - announcing The results, recommended that tins team should go to Hawera if the hist team was unable to do so.

In the absence of the president i (Mr H. 0. Bagnall), the chairman of the council (Mr G. G. Priest), on ho - : half of the players and audiences, thanked Mr J. Benwick and Mrs S. | J. Bennett for carying out the stage management in the senior and junior festivals respectively ; the teams themselves for tlie trouble they bad gone to in preparing the plays, especially the producers, particular mention being made of the junior teams. It was gratifying to find the schools, including Levin, taking an interest in, drama, which was a great adjunct to education, said Mr Priest, and the thanks of the local branch were due j to those responsible for encouraging I them to take pact. The secretary (Mrs S. T. Bristow) and the treasurer (Miss M. Warren) were thanked for their splendid services. In conclusion, Mr Priest commented that though the entries were fewer tins year he was sure the audiences had greatly enjoyed themselves, the plays being of a very high standard. Before announcing the results, Miss Loe commented that some excellent work on the part of juniors and adults had been seen, the standard being really good. Traversing the plays, Miss Loe said “A Marriage Has Been Aranged” and “The Person Responsible” had provided good comedy and ; tragedy, with the atmosphere just' rigfit. An excellent piece of work had beei._seen in “King's Son, Churl’s Son, -- with the “natural” doing a rood .LliruCtori&ttLiou. “xickless nme” Lad disclosed something quite out of the oruniary, and in “Privy Council” and “The Charlady and tne Angel,” both widely differing, there had been splendid work. The Marton play had shown -finish, she said. Resisting the temptation to take the easy way, Miss Loe said she had placed “Privy Council” first with “The Charlady and the Angel” second, only one mark behind. Following were the awards I) certificates.—“ The Person Responsible” (Milson Women's Institute). and “A Marriage Has Been Arranged” (Te Arakura). C certificates. —“King’s Son, Churl’s Son” (Pohangina Women’s Institute). B certificates. —“Tickless Time” (Levin Play Readers) ; “Privy Council” (Little Theatre Society); and “The Charlady and the Angc. ■ (teuton Players). Mr Priest handed the cup to Mrs Bristow, producer of the winning play (in association with Mr D. C. Piyor), and wished the team all success at Hawera.

Last evening’s teams were as follow: Milson Women’s Institute, in “The Person Responsible” (F. Morton Howard). Cast: Mrs White (Martha), Mrs J. Dymock (Susan Ramsden), Mrs A. Graham (Mrs Tpdd), Mrs W. M. Huntington (Emily Hibbins). Producer : Miss B. Rodgers. Levin Play Readers, in “Tickless Time” (Susan Glaspell and George Cram Cook). Cast: Mr J. P. Bertram (lan JovCe), Miss M. Blenkhorn (Eloise Joyce), Miss B. Blenkhorn (Mrs Stubbs), Mr G. Sorenson (Eddy Knight), Mrs C. M. Sellers (Alice Knight), Miss E. Hosie (Annie). Producer: Dr. I. W. Fraser. Te Arakura Women’s Institute in “A Marriage Has Been Arranged” (Muriel and Sydney Box). Cast: Mrs Firth (Mrs Holmes), Mrs Lewer (Mrs Freeman), Mrs Hume (Mrs Sewell), Mrs Folkston (Mrs Holt), Mrs Whisker (Mrs Sykes), Mrs Haythorne (Mrs Barlow, proprietress), Miss Burnham (Gladys, the maid). Producer: Mrs Whisker. Thanks were conveyed to Miss Loe by Mr Priest. JUNIOR FESTIVAL.

The junior festival for players under 18 years of age was held yesterday afternoon, when there was a very large audience. Miss Loe was the adjudicator and Mrs S. J. llennett, stage manager. Four plays only were presented, Miss Freda Whittaker unfortunately having to withdraw her players. Miss Loe offered her criticism of each presentation and at the conclusion of the programme stated that she considered the audience had seen four extremely good plays. There had been definite entertainment, with amusement, dramatic incidents and excellent work. She commended the effort of Levin, a very young team, in presenting “The Taming of the Shrew.” . To obtain a certificate Miss Loe explained that it was necessary to gain 50 marks, from 50 to 64 marks gaining D certificates, one of which she awarded to Levin and both teams from the Girls’ High School. Sixtyfive to 74 marks warranted a C certificate, and this was the achievement of the Boys’ High School team, the announcements being received with applause. Following were the junior presentations : . St. Andrew’s Players, Levin, in “The Taming of the Shrew” (Shakespeare) . Cast: Brenda Cameron (Katharina), Noreen Hodges (Bianca), Shirley Cameron (Baptista), Campbell Davie (Petruchio), Betty Port (Lucentio), Thule Moffatt (Horteusio), Jean Hunter (a widow), David Rippin (Biondello), lan Moffatt (Grunico), Victor Donner (Curtis), Alison Fletcher (Nathaniel), lan Bond (Peter), Pat Bond (Joseph), Lyndsay Hooper (Nicholas). Producer: Rev. Dr. lan W. Fraser. Girls’ High School Dramatic Club (team I), in “Women at War (Howard. Percy). Cast: Joan Wohermau (Lady Shoales), Betty Walker (Mistress Neye), Joan Allan (Mistress Barebegod), Betty Stubbs (Mistress Ursula Clibbutt), Both McLean (Mistress Drood), Janet Abraham (Philadelphia Mitchett, Myra Forrest (Nao). Producer: Miss M. Prideaux-Pridham. Boys’ High School Dramatic Club, in “A Russian Salad” (Philip Johnson) ’ Cast: A. B. Langley (George), N. Murray (Jane), F. S ( heppard (Snitz, the Trouble), G. N. Davies (Olga), N. Pegden (Maid), B. Pierard (The Man). Producer: Mr A. G. A. Baigent. . Girls’ High School Dramatic Club (team II), in “Michael” (Miles Malleson). Cast: Ailsa McLean (Woman), Alison Black (Simon), Shirley Braddell (Matryona), Shirley Melville (Aninska), Betty Inglis (A Russian Noble), Gladys Whittaker (Michael), Betty Coombes (Sedka), Joanne Varcoe and Leila Voitre (Two Children). ‘Producer: Miss K. C. Birnie.