DRAMA FESTIVAL
FURTHER SUCCESS. INTRIGUING PLAYS PRESENTED. JUDGE PRAISES CASTS. Amateur drama scored a further suocess at the Waikato Winter Show Hall in Hamilton last evening when the aeoond festival of the Waikato area of the British Drama League was coni' tinued before a capacity audience. I The spontaneous approbation of the 'audience vouohed for the excellence of the work of those taking part in the three plays presented. At the •conclusion of each play the Judge, Mr E. Campbell Laurie, detailed interesting and instructive criticism covering each performer and the production. An adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's story, “Michael,” by Miles Malleson, opened the programme, and the Hamilton Players, under the direction of Miss Phyllis Torphy, were cast in the following parts:—Matryona, Reta Anderson; Aniuska, Beverley Bateman; Simon, Valerie Nicholas; Michael, Betty Welch; a Russian Noble, Moyna Grylls; his Servant, Ronald Wilson; a I Woman, Vivienne Glephane. The stage was set in peasant RusI ala. Into the household of an lmI poverlshed bootmaker’s family is introduced by somewhat unhappy circumstances a mysterious beggar, and his subsequent actions during a year ■with the family only create a more mystifying situation. An unusual climax proves the beggar Michael to be an angel cast out from heaven to learn “three great truths.” A feature of this intriguing play was that the character, Michael, broke all cannons of stage law by remaining with his back to the audience until the Anal and revealing scene, but the effect was striking, and the closing action — an appealing gesture with outstretch ed hands —concluded what was in every way a fine performance. Bright Future for Drama. “I think you will agree that the future of drama in this district is very bright after seeing the performance in the last play,’’ said Mr Laurie at the conclusion. He considered that the junior cast, which included some very young members, had done really splendid work. The grouping was good and the stage decoration effective. “I would like to have seen Miohael smile before he turned to face the audience, but the unusual position he took up on the stage undoubtedly provided a very striking efTeoL It was a marvellous performance with a splendid closing scene,” he added. A stage on the stage was represented in “The Murder Scream,’’ by Harold Brighthouse, and adapted* from the play by Mikhail Aklon. This was presented by the Cambridge Dramatic Seolety and produced by Miss Kathleen Goodwin, the players being:— Derek, Ray Freeman; Muriel, Norma Swayne; Producer, Dorothy Munroe; Tony, Alfred Swayne; Gilbert, George Goodwin. A temperamental actress is Induced by drastio means to improve her "technique, ’’ and the process of instruction Includes a bogus blackmailing scene where the recalcitrant performer, alarmed by what appears to be a terrifying situation, really exhibits the talent which her harrassed producer has been endeavouring to reveal in her. A quarrel scene with a threat of murder and the subsequent blackmailing episode hold the audience tense until both are shown to be “staged.” Commenting on this effort, the Judge said that with so small a cast most of the criticism would fall on the producer, but this side of the play had been handled well. The acoustics had been good, although at times “Derek” was slightly indistinct. “Muriel” had a good voice and gave a very sincero Interpretation. “There was a need to watch pauses but there was a very good finishing effect, and the end* was well held,” concluded Mr Laurie. “ The Spartan Girl.’* “The Spartan Girl” presented, bewildering as it seems (a mixed atmosphere of the present day and that of ancient Greece. A. J. Talbots’ farce was presented by the W.E.A. Drama Circle under Miss Louis Armltage, and the cast was:—Neptune, Voice of the Ether, Hugh Morton; Phoebe, Phjllis Talt; Dorcas. Mrs F. Bullock; EustAce, Frank Brewer; the Messenger, the Attendant, Donald McDonald; the Stranger. Jack Page; ohorus of Ladles’ Maids, ohorus of Bathing Nymphs, Mollle Iggulden, Dorothy Robertson, Eillse Bullock, Freddie Whltehouse. Actually tho story concerned the fortunes of the servant maid, Phoebe, In her endeavour to win the son of her mistress, Doroas. The maid is dismissed from the employ of Dorcas when her Intentions beoome known, but she is willingly betrothed to Eustace when she contrives by her winnings for athletic prowess to restore the family fortunes which Eustace has dissipated In following the “sport of kings." Treated from a seriocomic standpoint the play was extremely humorous. Tremendous thought had been put into the production of the play, considered the Judge, and he was Impressed with tlie wonderful team work of the cast. The chorus had proved effective and tho lighting with the use of dimmers was very good. The reception it had received from the aoidi enee had been fully warranted. To-night’s Programme. The festival will he continued tonight. when the following plays will he presented Scene from “ \ Mid summer Night's Dream." the Peter Pan Players; “The Rebel,” Raglan Women’s Institute; “The Tomb of Od,” W.E.A. Drama Circle.
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Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20258, 29 July 1937, Page 2
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828DRAMA FESTIVAL Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20258, 29 July 1937, Page 2
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