PLAYBOX CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24419, 3 October 1940, Page 12

PLAYBOX CLUB

ANNUAL FESTIVAL The first of a series of one-act plays produced by members for the annual drama festival was staged on Tuesday evening before a large audience in the clubroom. The adjudicator. Mrs Eric Murray, was introduced to the audience by Mr Russell-Wood and at the conclusion of each play she delivered a critique of the work submitted. Her criticism was helpful, tactful and constructive, and both players and producers should benefit by it. The first play was a period one. “A Royal Interlude.” concerning an incident in the lives of Mary Tudor and her cousin. Lady Jane Grey. Mrs Murray spoke encouragingly of the work in this play and praised the staging and dressing which helped to create an atmosphere of impending tragedy. The players lacked bodily responsiveness and were inclined to be somewhat monotonous in tone, but otherwise the work was appealing and very sincere. Miss Eileen Houston produced the play and interpreted the part of Lady Jane Grey. Miss Alice Clarke was in fine fettle as Mary Tudor, and made much of a part that suited her admirably. Miss Marcia Morris and Miss Patricia Healey filled the remaining parts. The second play, “Druids Ring,” presented by Mrs Lance Griffiths was an excellent drama employing a team of eight women, each of whom was well cast. The atmosphere so essential to the play’s success was created at the outset and sustained to the “ curtain.” Mrs Murray spoke highly of the team work and congratulated the players on a good all-round performance. Mrs Griffiths was excellent in a thoroughly unpleasant and tragic role. Her dressing and make-up were characteristic and she carried the heaviest part with great credit. Mrs John Hamer gave a fine characterisation of a North Country woman, and the judge also warmly praised the work of Mrs Ronald Jones as the poor workhouse waif. Miss Connie Manning and Miss Edith Claire gave well contrasted performances as two travellers, and an appropriately facetious character study cajne from Miss Heather Westwood, as a country girl Two smaller parts were well handled by Miss M. Rollo and Miss Doreen Harvey. The final -play of the evening was a very unusual one and was written and produced by Mr Owen Fletcher, who also appeared in one of the principal parts. “ Over the Fence is Out ” was the play’s intriguing title, and as it had won second place in the British Drama League’s play-writing competition, it aroused considerable interest. The theme was unusual and the humour and subtlety were well exploited by the cast. Mrs Murray said that the play had pleased her very much and that there was a great deal to commend its nroduction. Audibility was not always good and a few cues were missed; but there was nothing seriously wrong to mar the performance. The music created good atmosphere and the “noises off” were handled with precision. Miss Dulcie Hazelwood appeared as principal ballerina and looked extremely well; hers was a good performance. Mr Fletcher was the tempestuous, temperamental male dancer, His make-up was rather too heavy for a small theatre, but he entered into the spirit of the part with considerable zest and abandon. Mrs lan Stevenson was well in character as another ballerina, and Mr Colin Martin turned in a good performance as the other man. Miss Myra McKechie plaved the part of an aged ballerina and' Mrs T. Nelson was the theatrical dresser. Mr\ Russell-Wood announced that four more plays would conclude the festival on Tuesday next. October 8, when Mrs Murray would announce her decision.