LOCAL SOCIETY STAGES THREE ONE-ACT PLAYS

Taupo Times, Volume IV, Issue 178, 24 June 1955, Page 5

LOCAL SOCIETY STAGES THREE ONE-ACT PLAYS

Audiences of 150 and - 190, respectively, attended the preservation in the War Mernorial Hall by the Taupo Dramatic Society, on June 14 and 15, of three one-act plays. Their reactions left no doubt as to their appreciation of the varied fare vided"Birds of a Feather," a comedy by J. C. Francis, was produced by Jack McF th. Jiin Birnie and Jim Shields, as two Welsh salmon poachets ; Sam Howie, as a Welsh Bishop whorn thev artfully persuade to assist thern in evading detection ; and Bill Davies, as the foiled game-keeper, all gave good characterisations. The production succeeded in bringing * out the quiet humour of the play. The drama, "Druid's Ring," by T. B. Morris, centred round the grim determination of Judith Mardon, widow, played by Sally Kent, to join her neighbour's farm to her own by marrying her son to her neighbour's daughter, played by Joy Kennedy, despite the son's love for Marianne, a foundling, played by Patricia, Bostock. As the embittered widow, determined to have her way, Sally Kent's performance was excellent, portraying an extreme intensity of domineering power without any tendency to overact.> As the neighbour, Avis Acres was also excellent, creating just such a lovable character as the draraatist must have intended. Patricia Bostock and Joy Kennedy as the young girls in love, whose happiness is threatened, both gave convincing and consitent performances. Audrey Patchett and Denise Baker, as farmers' wives who accuse the widow of witchcraft, and Mary Kruit and Catherine Scott, as two visitors from the outside world introduced for light relief, all maintained the play's satisfactory atmosphere and standard, for achieving which the producer, Beryl Kennedy, merits high marks. "The Inconstant Moon," by Philip Johnson, was produced by Charles Leslie, and made a good finish to a good programme. As Julia Danby, an aging actress, who has lived the part of a great lady of the stage until she confuses pretence and reality, Dulcie Colien's portrayal was a tour-de-force, and the final scene, in which she renounces her opportunity to accept the selfmade business man's bribe of £2000 for dissuading his daughter from goJng on the stage, had both dramatic force and artistic restraint. As Florrie, the cook and unofflcial guardian of the household, Christine Moore ably provided her share of the humour, as also did . Vera Leyland, as Julia Danby's daughter, Charles Leslie as her fiance, and Bob Acres as the businessman. Patricia Thomas, youngest member of the cast, played the small part of the businessman's daughter. charmingly. The Society is fortunate in having three young members of . promise in Patricia Bostock, Joy Kennedy and Patricia Thomas. The Society's new drapes were used in the settings of the second and third plays, and were most effective, the colours being very pleasing.