DRAMATIC SOCIETY ROUNDS OFF FIRST YEAR

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 83, 19 August 1953, Page 4

DRAMATIC SOCIETY ROUNDS OFF FIRST YEAR

POPULAR SUCCESS ACHIEVED The Taupo Drahiatic Society put on the final entertainment of its first year in Rickit's Hall on Thursday I and Friday nights last week, a well filled house being drawn on both oceasions. That the audiences were fully appreciative of the productions staged was obvious, and there can be no doubt that the Society has established itself in public esteem as I a provider of fiesh-and-blood shows well chosen, well produced and well

I acted The Philip Johnson melodrama, "Dark Brown," produced by Charles Leslie, successfully secured the tense I atmosphere of tobacconist Arthur Brown' s quiet home as the action moved to the final dramatic disclosure that he was the public hangman. Sally Kent as Jenny Brown, the wite, gave a most successful portrayal oi the mental reactions arising from the suspicions that build up to the finaJ denouement. Her restrained and telling acting of the final scene was well done. Catherine Scott's brief appearance on the stage as Mrs Persophelous, Arthur Brown's mentally afflicted aunt, designed to deepen the suspense and still ad da little relief, was a most effective tour de force which elicited the audience s

applause. Charles Leslie was excellent as "Dark" Brown, the quiet shop-keeper who has inherited the family job of hangman, tortured in mind by the grim nature of the "side-line" he is afraid to disclose to his wfe. Sylvia Salt as Jenny's mother, and Vera Leyl'and, as the shop-girl, were both successful in building up the grim

atmosphere. Yvonne Sharp, as frivolous Bella Crewe,' and John Kellett, as her fiance Fred, formerly engaged to Jenny Brown, played their parts confidently and well. Barrie's humourous and touchmg play, "The Old Lady Shows Her Medals," produced by James D. Swan, was high-lighted by the excellent character acting of Elizabeth Mclnally as M'rs Dowey, war-time

charlady, and the equally good portrayal by Jim Swin of the part of Private K. Dowey, rough Scots soldier whom the old lady wins^ over to her innocent plan for establishing him as her son. Both these players gave the authentic grip of real drama to their characterisations, and the sincerity of the acting was testified to bv not a few damp eyes in

the audience. In providing the lighter background Beryl Kennedy, Koa Sharp and Kay Howie, in the parts of the three other charladies, achieved a popular success. Ronald Bjorngaard, making his first appearance on the stage in the mmor role of the Rev. Mr Wilkinson, showed that ihe sfiiould make a promising addition to the Society's active

members. "Little Glass Houses," a comedy of fashionable Bath in 1810, produced by Elizabeth Culford Bell, made a fully satisfying finale to an excellent evening's entertainment. The leading part of Madame Rossignol, the opera singer whose past is wrapped in mystery and whose captivation of m'ale hearts is anathema to the match-making mammas, was acted charmingly by Margaret Beale. Her performance showed appreciation of the part's vital place in the play, and well deserved the applause accorded on her final exit. The part of Mrs Orpington was read by Dulcie Cohen, replacing Vera Casson, whose illness prevented her at the last moment from taking part. Her performance was fully up to the high standard

that Taupo audiences now expect from this player. Lois Denize, as Jane Mrs Orpington's daughter, took her part as the obedient subject of the maternal match-making with dainty and expressive assurance. Avis ' Acres gave a delightful presentation of Lady Titherington, making the most of her part with an ease which needed no straining after effect. Jean Dixon, as Mrs Carraway, i the would-be exposer of the Rossignol gave a sound and convincing performance. The producers, Chales Leslie, James D. Swan and Elizabeth Culford Bell deserve to be congratulated orr (Continued on Page 5.)