DRAMA FESTIVAL

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 27, 29 April 1938, Page 3

DRAMA FESTIVAL

OUTSTANDING SUCGES3 - f COAIAIWNTS k . The DnHia Festival, under the auspices of the Fa stern Bay of Plenty Federation of Women’s Institutes, held in St. John’s Hall on Thursday, and concluding in the evening, proved a most outstanding success. The seating accommodation of the hall was taxed to tiie utmost for both day and evening sessions, and the audience were

delighted with the very enjoyable entertainment which was provided, ihe enthusiasm of the players, the success of the function, and the support given by the public, should make the 1 estival the forerunner of many such entertainments. , A feature of the day session was the comments by the adjudicator, Airs E. Connor, A.T.C.L., L. T.C.L., (gold medallist). Her comprehensive deaiing with each puiy, delivered in a most pleasing manner, made the programme much more interesting for the audience, and great -

jv. assisted the players and producers; ' a marked improvement being noticed in the repetiticn of the three placed plays given in the evening. The piay- / ers were quick to take the advice given by Mrs Connor in her helpful criticisms. Unfortunately the plays given in the evening session were not heard to advantage, the storm making it almost impossible at- times to hear the voices of the players. The lighting failed several times, and this too, proved most distracting to both players and audience. In addition to the presentation of the three placed plays, players from AVhakatane who were successful in the last festival held in Taueatua., presented “Little Glass Houses”. In the final summing up by the adjudicator, Opotiki with “April Shower” was placed first with 80 marks; Otara with “Beauty For Sale . To marks second; A\aitnana. “A Girl for the Hall”, '7l marks third. Due- a very small margin separated the last three plays. Airs Connor said that the choice of plays for a first festival was remarkably good and a high standard luul been set. Airs Connor’s very helpful criticism of their efforts and her encouraging remarks, - will lie appreciated and used to advantage by the players and should foster further interest- in the movement so that the presentation o. a similar programme will lie eagerly awaited' by all who attended. 1. OTARA .—' ’ beauty For Sale” (By Ah'.riel Box). Producer, Airs AY. A. Gault. Aladame Geraldine. Airs AA. A. •Gault, Laura and Jane (Aladame Geraldine’s daughters), ALiss I.cis Gordon and Airs H. Jones. Airs Royden-Lyle, Mrs Iv. Brown. Audrey Lome. Aliss Kathleen Lambert. Airs Smithson. Airs A. AlcUallioii. In her remarks on this fit'-st play of the day, Airs Connor, said that he players had had to overcome the nervousness which they naturally felt in being the ones to open the Festival. This”they did after a few momentsand, with the aid of a carefully thought-out setting which was;just

ivliat one would liave imagined tor a 4 lit aut.y parlour of the period, they presented quite it good perfonnanee. % lie players fitted their parts very well, particularly' Mrs W. |A. Gault as Madame Geraldine, and All’s H. Jones as Jane, but the others were by no inepiis overshadowed. -Miss Lambert, as Audrey Lome, needed to he more sophisticated, but she made a real effort to overcome her obvious youth, the general fault, if such it might he termed, was lack of reaction by the players to

the dialogue. They gave hero and there the impression of such a thorJ - ougli knowledge of what wa» coming, that they completely forgot to express

any emotions. 2. WAIMANA.—“A Girl for the Hall” (By M. Nugent). Producer. Mrs J. A. Mitchell. Aljss Austin. Matron, of Home for ifr/•„ (1 less Girls. Mrs F. J>avis. Aliss S sistarit Matron, Miss M. StansChairwoman ot Mrs H. Wardlaw. Miss Piped* of the Committee. Mrs J. Addison. Jf-Rose Carter. Flora King, ljois Riehfnond. Minnie Piekerill, girls of the home, Mrs G. MeJvor, Miss PCranswiek. Airs J. Wardlaw and Miss Al. AVoolfieltl. In this play, which, as tho adjudicatv br said, gave a great opportunity for tin* voting players, the mistake had been, made of .having too much f'uinivfure on the stage. This was a point with a wide application, and could be

a little elaborated upon. It was not a good plan to follow "exactly to the book instructions on the furniture required, as this question must he entirely governed by the size of the stage. Too many little tables, for instance, were just a nuisance. Too much, furniture.had really rather spoiled the climax which needed room. As in the preceding play, the players also gave the impression of knowing what was coming and could have acted mere. The girls were most attractive and, if anything, “too nice’,’ while Aliss Piper could have been a bit mere acid. On the whole a pleasing performance.

3. OTARA, —“Slow Curtain” (By A 1 uriel Box). Producer, Airs AA T . A. Gault. Alalvina Hathaway, Airs R. A. Heclley. Freda Richmond, her secretary. Airs Fraser. Dorothy Trew, Airs Palmer. Delia Trew, her daughter, Aliss Joan Alorice. Alice Hall M.A., O. 8.E., Alanager of Circle Theatre, Airs Bingham. Sloper. an old dresser, Airs H. Parkinson.

A story of the decline of a stage star and her final resignation, to the knowledge that her day for taking the part of the young heroine was done. Mrs Connor said the 'play called for particularly careful handling. Professional players have a style quite apart, and much credit was due to Airs Hcilley for the splendid way in which she played the leading character. A little more restlessness might have been a still further improvement. The setting was good. a little crowded, Imt- some of the players just- failed to he convincing. Sloper. Airs H. Parkinson,, was the most comforting soul. Airs -Cfonnoi thought, and fitted her part perfectly. The costuming was very good indeed. In the play the point was stressed ot the care necessary when doing interrupted dialogue. Speeches must be broken into naturally, and an unfinished sentence must not hang in mid-air. 4. OPOTIKI. —“April Shower” (By P.. Johnson). Producer, Airs A. Debreceny. Aliss Charlotte Bright, connection of the Brights of Bright .Hall, Airs H. J. A Flail. Phoebe, her maid, Aliss Louisa Baird. Aliss Laetitia ThurJow, Aliss Elaine Hampton. Aliss Alicia Pramley. Aliss Eleanor Alurray. Ali ss Rosie Pramley, her sister, Aliss Emma Bridge. Aliss Lucy Pemberton. Aliss Joan Salt.

The adjudicator’s pleasure with this play: was obvious. At last, she said, she had witnessed reaction on the part of the performers, who had been admirably chosen for their respective parts and who had never ceased acting from beginning to end of the play. With a. very, slender plot, tlie -play depended entirely on its quaint dialogue and the manner in which the- characters were 1 sustained. The Opotiki players had made the most of their opportunities. 4 heir frocks were charming and the setting had' been most carefully thought- out, the beautiful phi furniture giving the play quite an air. On the whole. Al'rs Connor found little to criticise, hut gave, the players a few finer points. One particular thing- which needed to- he guarded against was that of obviously saying the dialogue to the audience. This method is not used so much to-day as it used to be. The Enunciation was .splendid. A commendable- feature, was,; the climax which the players held lor quite two minutes. 5. OPOTIKI “Anti-Clockwise”. Producer,'Airs A. Hilford. Clara. Fitz-: waiter, Airs Kidd. Emily Jackson, Elizabeth Aldringham, cousins and Clara's, nieces. Airs J. D. Clark and Miss V. Thompson.' Dr Flora* Rich-, month Aliss Maxwell.

As a complete contrast the final play presented a problem tor the judge, who said that without doubt it was the most difficult play chosen. It held no attraction for her whatever as tar as plot was'concerned, but that should have no hearing on the judging of it. The set was one which must bo. carefully arranged according to the hook and this had been done exactly. .Mrs Connor said she lelt the weakness, lay in the delineation of the characters. Mrs J. I). Clark, with her excellent voice and stage appearance, was not the type one expected to see in the role of F.mily. She had difficulty in assuming the characteristics of a sadly oppressed companion. Airs Kidd, as Clara, in the difficult second part of the play, was too virile. Her voice heeded a more querulous noth. Both ladies .appeared, however, accustomed to the stage, and Mrs Connor remarked that she hoped her criticism would not he thought severe. She <lid not intend them to he, hut as the play was so difficult, it called for.almost professional handling. Tho plot was a- most difficult one to convey to the audience and the players had failed in this respect once or twice. / However, they deserved every commendation for their efforts.. vs, . '

A French shepherd. left hi.s black bread and milk in :i caw some* 200 years ago. Returning a fortnight later,' he found that it had turned into what is known as .Roquefort cheese. This variety of cheese is still made in that manner.