“PLAY’S THE THING”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 July 1939, Page 5

“PLAY’S THE THING”

WAIRARAPA DRAMA FESTIVAL SENIOR SECTION COMMENCED LAST NIGHT. j EXCELLENT ENTERTAINMENT ’ IN OPERA HOUSE. Four senior plays were pre- I scull'd ill (lie Mastertoll Opera I House last night on tin- oeeasion of I lie seventh, anniial festival of (lie Wairarapa Drama League. The house was about I'ull ami the entertainment provided was an excellent one in every respect. The festival will be concluded tonight at 7.45 o’clock with the presentation of four more plays—“ Good Blood. Bad Blood.” by Pahiatua Players No. .1 ; “Thread o’ Scarlet,” by'the Savage Club; “When the Whirlwind Blows,” by Pahiatua Players No. 2, and “Hands Across the Sea” by the St Matthew’s Church team. The president, Mr T. Jordan, briefly introduced the judge, Mr Myles Wright, stating that in past years very excellent teams had taken part in the festival from the southern part of the Wairarapa Valley while this year he had much pleasure to welcome two teams from the northern end. Pahiatua. Mr Jordan appealed for support for the Drama I,eague and said he was glad to acknowledge the support in evidence that night. It was very creditable indeed. He would like to see many more of the young men faking part in the plays, as the latter provided excellent entertainment and much pleasure. Introducing Mr Wright to the audience, Mr Jordan said the judge had come to them highly recommended and he was sure his coming would mark a new milestone in the province of drama players in this district and that Mr Wright’s desire was to assist and instruct, as far as he could, the actions and efforts of their players; The decision of the competition was quite a minor consideration. In the words of the great dramatist 'The play’s the thing.’

The plays presented last night and the respective casts were as follow: — Peter Pan Players, "Bring Me My Bow” (Sydney Box): Lady ChampionCholmondely (wife of the Minister for War), Patricia Jordan; Miss Goosens (headmistress of St. Christopher’s School), Miriam Jordan; Miss Armstrong (an assistant-mistress), Bebe Francis; senior girls of St. Christopher’s, Mary Blake, Betty Coleman; Con.stance Kent, Mary McLaren; Joan Berry, Lucy Wilton; Veronica Leigh, Jean Douglas; Stella Prout, Noeline McLaren; Elsie Havergill. Joan Wilton; other girls, mistresses, etc. Producer: Miss B. Coleman.

Wairarapa College, “The Black Horseman” (Mary Parkington): Granny Drew, Pat Baskiville; Felicity (her granddaughter, a Quakeress), Constance Shearer; Lydia, Maureen Carroll; Bess, Glen Daysh; Fancy, Dora Hathaway; Prudence, Elaine Hanley; Sally, Margaret McLaren; a Constable, Peter Parsons; a Stranger, Rex Daniell. Producer: Miss O. R. Sutherland. St. Matthew’s School Old Giris, "Mirror to Elizabeth” (T. B. Morris)-: Maids of Honour to Queen Elizabeth: Elizabeth Trentham, Yvonne LeightonJones; Elizabeth Throckmorton, Rhoda Burling; Penelope Wyndham, Nora Robinson; Mary Howard, Jocelyn Betts; Kate Carey, Helen Gill; Mary Radcliffe, Jose Hosking; Elizabeth, Queen of England, Peggy' Mirams; a Page, Evan Jaine. Producer: Mrs E. J. Rich. Knox Drama Club, “All in a Day’s Work” (Ralph Wotherspoon and L. Jackson): Hildebrand Pruce-Garcery, M.D., F.R.C.P. (a consulting neurologist), Gilbert Gaze; Lady Constance Pentland (wife of Keith Pentland, D. 5.0., J.P., M.F.H., of Lamberly Manor), Nora Ractliffe; Setter (butler to Dr. Pruce-Garcery), G. W. Morice. Producer: Miss J. Douglas.

Commenting on the individual plays, the judge said that “Bring Me My Bow" was a fascinating play and he was pleased to see it on the pro gramme. On the whole it was well done. The characterisation should have been more clearly developed. Mary and Miss Armstrong could have been better differentiated. Mary did not show the effort it would have taken to face the headmistress in the way she did. Miss Armstrong could have been more bitter; it would have been a better con ■ trast. There was an art in making long speeches. Lady Cholmoneley made her long speech well and took the character well, too, though her cues were taken up rather slowly. The lighting cues were rather slow and there was too much lighting on the stage in the dream scene. With regard to the setting, something was needed behind the desk to complete the scene.

"The Black Horseman” was very well done indeed. Grannie gave an outstanding performance. It was diffi cult for young people to play old. He had never seen a better performance of an old person by a young one. From the entrance of the girls the pace should have increased; the entrance of the stranger then would have been better. The lines could have been taken more easily throughout and could have been more smoothly flowing. It was good but the stranger might have been under greater tension. The constable could have been more definite and rougher. The setting was excellent. When the candles went out more could have been made of the tirelight. The make up was good, though Grannie’s hands should have been made up. The Constable's make-up could have been ruddier. It was an excellent production and the College team was fully justified in competing in the senior section.

“Mirror to Elizabeth" was very well done indeed. The judge said he liked the setting and the lighting was good. He did not like the regular semicircle of maids of honour. Elizabeth should have spoken on her first entrance. Elizabeth was too young and good looking in her make up. Her chair was in the wrong position. The light would have caught her better and would have avoided awkward moves. The grouping of the dresses was wrong in the dancing; a pink spot from the front would have brought out the colour bettei - . More lightness of touch and characterisation of the maids of honour were needed. The maids should have built up chatter and excitement with dancing before Elizabeth's on trance, which should stop it. There were not characters in "All In A Day’s Work" for a dranja festival

play, said the judge, though it was entertaining in places. In regard to the sqtling, more comfort and a more intimate atmosphere were needed. A long conversation was held across stages and that lost the attention of the audience. The light on the doctor’s desk was on his face and made him look pale. It should have been on the lady's face. Awkward shadows were cast on him when he leant back. The fitting of the light on the desk was poorly placed. The doctor could have been more convincing at first. The climax was well taken. Slackness on cues again let it down a bit. The doctor should have been more convincing about the poison; it would have helped the play considerably if the audience believed it.

In the junior section decided on Saturday the judge. Mrs Victor Lloyd, placed the Playbox Players. “The Fine Old Ladies of Lavender Town" first, one point ahead of the Pandora Club. “In the China Shop.” Central School “Homework Made Lighter" was third.