DRAMA FESTIVAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 July 1939, Page 4

DRAMA FESTIVAL

JUNIOR SECTION DECIDED ON SATURDAY PLAYBOX PLAYERS WIN CUP. SENIOR PRESENTATIONS TONIGHT AND TOMORROW EVENING. The seventh annual festival of the Wairarapa branch of the British Drama League opened in the Opera House on Saturday afternoon, when three junior plays were presented. The judge, Airs Victor Lloyd, placed the Playbox Players, “The Five Old Ladies of Lavender Town.” first, and the Pandora Club, “In the China Shop,” second, one mark ahead of the Central School “Homework Made Lighter.” The cup was presented to the winners by Miss O. R. Sutherland, chairman of the committee.

The plays and their respective casts were as follow: —

Playbox Players, "The Five Old Ladies of Lavender Town:’’ Professor Lightening Haskins, E. Thomas; Duchess of Tidy town, R. Heckler; Henry VIII. A. Bilderbeck; George Washington, L. Wilton; Julius Caesar, S. Hunter; Confucius, N. Stevenson; John Smith, N. Rogers; The Five Old Ladies, B. Hhrcombe. M. Hugo. P. Rogers, L. Dickel. M. Heath. Producer: Miss E. Thomas.

Pandora Club, "In the China Shop" (Dorothy Gard’ner): Gracia (Chief Conspirator), Yvonne Saunders; Bimbo (who conspires with Gracia), Dawn Cooper; Old Bimbo (Bimbo's Grandpapa), Eunice Brader; Guino (stern papa of Gracia), Norma Brown; the China figures, Dancing Girl, Beryl Henderson; Cupid. Noeline Blackwood; Love, Peggy Davies; Dresden Boy, Melva Seed; Little Ladies, Pat Saunders, Norma Saunders, Kathleen Wiltshire, Joan Whittaker, Margaret Wickens. Producer; Miss Merle Dickson. Central School, “Homework Made Lighter:” Tom, Bert Crothers; Jack, Colin Davey; Spirit, Norma Brown; Fire, Marian Bennett; Torch, Bob Moor; Rush, Llola Cretney; Candle, Elsie Rickards; Oil Lamp, Ray Floyd; Gas, Barry Dallas; Electricity, Charlie Knowles; Neon, David Parsons. Producer: Mr J. A. Kennedy.

Mrs Lloyd deprecated the competitive element and said she would really like to praise and criticise without having to place anybody first, as. she was so pleased with the young people’s teams, who had done such good work. Mrs Lloyd said that, speaking generally, the voices were clear in all plays and in most cases those taking part had good voices. The staging and costumes were well done throughout. She considered the chief fault was the choice of play. Mrs Lloyd said she would like to see the Central School cast in a grown-up play. Commenting on the individual plays, Mrs Lloyd observed that' in the one presented by the Playbox Players the scene was good; there was no attempt at an elaborate setting. In the-open-ing part there was some nervousness apparent by the first speaker. The professor definitely looked, the part. The duchess, had a good presence and good voice. Although she made one awkward exit, moving on to the professor’s line, her performance all round was excellent. The five old ladies effected a good change from age to youth and were delightful in appearance. The professor’s asi’des were not quite clear enough. On the whole, the play was not live enough. The Pandora Club’s presentation, said Mrs Lloyd was given in a pretty scene, with delightful frocking. Bimbo was good, though he did not bring out the humour enough. Gracia was good and should go a long way, as she was a natural actress. Old Bimbo was rather overdone. Cupid looked into the wings. The dancing girl gave an excellent performance and showed definite talent. The play lacked drive. Any lack of action should be made up by the speed of the play. Referring to the Central School s presentation, the judge said Tom was too slow over his cues and there was not enough excitement about the football match. Jack was good, the Spirit had a lovely voice, but was too obviously a girl, though the costume was not brilliant enough. The Candle was very good. The play was perhaps un-der-rehearsed. The festival will be continued tonight with the presentation of four senior plays, “Bring Me By Bow (Peter Pan Players); “The Black Horseman" (Wairarapa College); “Mirror to Elizabeth” (St. Matthew’s Old Girls), and “All In a Day's Work” (Knox Drama Club). The president, Mr T. Jordan, will officially open the festival, which is timed to commence at 7.45 p.m. and not 7.30 p.m. as was originally announced Patrons must be in their seats on time, as there will be no admittance during the presentation of a play. The festival will be concluded tomorrow Patrons are reminded that the Opera House will be well heated for this evening's performance.