AMATEUR THEATRICALS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 105, 25 July 1927, Page 4

AMATEUR THEATRICALS

HELPING GIRL GUIDES An excellent entertainment of three one-act plays was presented at the Unity Hall on Saturday evening by Mrs. Zoe Bartley-Baxter to assist the funds of the Girl (iuide movement in Auckland. A large and appreciative audience responded with generous applause to an evening of delightful comedy. “Modern Daughters,” a remarkably good production, was the outstanding feature of the programme. The dialogue was cleverly interpreted and the acting very well done. Briefly, the story told of the attentions paid by three young men to a charming and pretty widow, to the discomfort of her three daughters, whose every failed to lure the three chivalrous knights from the object of their adoration. In the role of the eldest daughter, who was “tired of looking at men through a telescope,” and who advocated “straight talking” to her mother, Miss May Possenniskie gave a fine characterisation of a difficult part. Miss Ysolinde McVeagh’s portrayal of the innocently offending mother was the best piece of acting of the feminire cast. Miss Mona Wallbank and Miss Audrey -Perry figured successfully as the two younger daughters of the disgruntled trio, while Messrs Lee Bullot, E. Churchhouse and C. Zahara in the male roles were distinctly good. “Still Lovin’ and Obeyin’,” came next in order of merit, and won favour by its human touch of pathos carefully interwoven with pleasing comedy. The plot concerned the domestic troubles of the Henderson family, of whom the head was Joe, a bargee. Mr. Alan McElwain gave a convincing portrayal of the cockney father and Li£, his longsuffering wife, was excellently played by Miss Ailsa Hacket. Emmy, their daughter, was well done by Mrs. Bart-ley-Baxter, and Nigel Williams as Bill Pepper was responsible for much laughter. The third play was really more of an amusing skit on powder and lipstick done to excess. The two characters were vividly interpreted by Mrs. Bartley-Baxter and Mr. Huia FryerRaisher, who were well received in.a clever burlesque. An explanation of the aims and ideals of the Girl Guide movement was given by Dr. Margaret Knight during the evening. Miss Winifred Crosher was heard in some clever character studies, and won well-mer-ited applause for her splendid version of the duties of a French maid.

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