DRAMA FESTIVAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 October 1938, Page 7

DRAMA FESTIVAL

WINNING SENIOR & JUNIOR TEAMS EXCELLENT STANDARDS SET. AWARDS AND OBSERVATIONS BY JUDGE. The sixth annual festival of the Wairarapa branch of the British Drama League was concluded at the Opera House last evening, when a further four one-act plays were presented to a large and appreciative audience. The winners in the senior division were the St Matthew's Old Girls, with their play, “White Queen —Red Queen,” produced by Mrs E. J. Rich. Miss B. Coleman’s production, “The Autumn Sweepers,” presented by the Playbox Players, was awarded first place in the junior section.

Following a brief review of each play, the judge, Miss Elizabeth Loe, announced that she had awarded certificates as follow:— Senior:—B Certificates: — “White Queen—Red Queen” (St Matthew’s Old Girls), produced by Mrs E. J. Rich; “Drumgartn” (St Andrew’s Society), produced by Mrs R. Miller. C Certificates: “Campbell of Kilmhor” (Wairarapa College), produced by Mr H. R. Thomson; “Sad About Europe” (Peter Pan Players), produced by Miss B. Coleman. D Certificate: —“The Invisible Duke” (Phoenix Drama Club), produced by Mr J. A. Kennedy. Junior: —C Certificate: —“The Autumn Sweepers” (Playbox Players), produced by Miss B. Coleman. D Certificate: — “The Test” (Central School Juniors), produced by Mr J. A. Kennedy. LAST NIGHT’S PLAYS. Following are the details of the plays presented last night:— The Playbox Players (Juniors), “The Autumn Sweepers” —(Ursula M. Williams). Cast:—Miss Elspeth, Elizabeth Tnomas; Miss Margaret, Connie Lambert; Elspeth (50 Years before), Barbara Harcombe; Margaret (50 Years Before), Pam Rogers; Janet (a Blind Orphan), Dawn Couper; Kirsty (a Deaf Orphan), Marie Heath; Jean (a Maid), Betty Judd; Autumn Sweepers, J. Heath, M. Dagg. D. Bannister, P. Bilderoeck; D. Phillips, M. Fagan. Producer: Miss B. Coleman.

St Matthew’s Old Girls, “White Queen—Red Queen”--(T. B. Morris). Cast:—Elizabeth Hammond, Madge Skelton, Mary Wyatt, Ladies in Waiting to Queen Katharine—Catherine Maunsell, Elizabeth Bunny, Patricia Gill; Jane Seymour, Barbara Barton; Mary Tudor, Norah Robinson; Margaret Pole, Jocelyn Hornabrook; Anne Boleyn, Peggy Mirams; Katharine of Aragon, Queen of England—Jocelyn Betts; a Page, Vivienne Rich. Prolucer: Mrs E. J. Rich.

St Andrew’s Society, “Drumgarth”— (Philip Blair). Cast;—Jean Drummond, Mrs Robert Miller; Ailie Malloch, Madge Kane; David. William Mann; Alistair, Vic. McKeague; Captain Jock Finlayson, Graham Dickel; Sergeant Saunders, Finlay Milne; First Soldier, Verne Greer; Second Soldier, Jim Hewitt. Producer: Mrs R. Miller. Phoenix Drama Club, “The Invisible Duke”—(F. Sladen-Smith). Cast:—The Duke, Neville Fleming; The Astrologer, Lindsay Tamblin; Nekko= and Dekko, Clowns Attendant on Astrologer—Ray Foster and Owen Hemmingsen; Francescd (Cousin to Duke), Jack Kennedy; Emilia (Betrothed to Duke), Joyce Shearer. Producer: Mr J. A. Kennedy. JUDGE’S COMMENTS.

Discussing the junior play, “The Autumn Sweepers,” Miss Loe said it ,vas rather different from the usual .ype of children’s play. Miss Elspeth and Miss Margaret were both a little stilted, but settled down into their parts later on. Jane should take care not to be too precise. Her blindness vas well done. Kirsty, the deaf orphan, was very goou, but the producer might have done a little more in making her watch the other speakers mouths. Elspeth had nice composure, md Margaret gave a good little performance. The Sweepers were delightful little people. The opening of he play was not heard very clearly, jlie dressing was just right, but -all he voices were rather too careful. There was sincerity throughout the flay but it wanted just a little more life. “On the whole I considered it i very charming little performance, ’ concluded Miss Loe. “One usually gets fed up with allwomen plays,” said Miss Loe when commenting on “White Queen Red Queen.” “However, this one was unusual,” she said. The play was very fleturesque and colourful. Elizabeth was calm and collected, and Madge and Mary Wyatt both gave good performances. She thought that the fact that Jane Seymour was at .one stage io have been Queen might have been brought out more in her gestuies. Mary Tudor did a delightful piece of work and Margaret Pole gave a good impression of steadfast character. Anne Boleyn gave a forceful characterisation. Katharine was calm, but did not somehow quite get the depth jf character necessary. Later, however, she was better. The Page’s bow was rather floral. The play was charmingly dressed. There were one ar two places where the pace could have been speeded up a little. The •limax, too, might have been worked Sp a little more. If the players had ipproached the work with a little nore realisation of the period, a little setter effect might have been gained. Commenting on “Drumgarth” Miss Loe drew attention to its similarity to ‘Campbell of Kilmhor,” a play presented on the previous evening. Ailie, n “Drumgarth,” had good moments, cut these were not sustained. Jean aad a powerful delivery. David was rather neat for a farmer, but he did a very convincing piece of acting. Alistair made a good attempt, and Finlayson gave a good, forceful interpretation. Saunders was a little too stilted. The grouping of the play was well worked out. Here, as in the previous play, “White Queen Red Queen,” there was a slightly superficial approach. However, the general effect was good, the pace at times being excellent. "The Invisible Duke.” said Miss Loe, had failed to grip the audience. It was a play that needed pace, precision and punch, not continual prompting. The setting was very good, and the play had opened splendidly. However it -did not appear to have been sufficiently rehearsed. The Astrologer gave promise of being good. Nekko acted with force, but Dekko was a little restrained. The Duke was a little uncertain on his feet. Emilia had possibilities, and Francisco had good poise and carriage. Miss Loe also pointed out that the play had continued 10 minutes over the time limit. At the conclusion of the last play, the president of the Wairarapa branch

of the British Drama League. Mr T. Jordan, expressed pleasure at the performances they had seen on the two nights. He had been pleased, he said, to see young people taking part. The festival had proved that there was plenty of dramatic talent in the district. continued Mr Jordan, who urged the public to lend their support to the theatre. He mentioned in particular the newly-formed Masterton Little Theatre Society. Mr Jordan, on behalf of the branch, thanked Miss Loe and all others who had contributed to the success of the festival. Miss Loe made complimentary reference to the excellent stage-man-agership. and at her call a vote of thanks to those responsible was carried by acclamation.