WITH THE AMATEURS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20272, 14 August 1937, Page 17 (Supplement)

WITH THE AMATEURS.

“Aren’t We All?” In Hamilton. “Aren't We All?” to be staged at the Civic Theatre next Wednesday night by the Hamilton Playbox, is a brilliant comedy by Frederick Lonsdale, whose similarly witty “ Last of Mrs. Cheyney ” was seen on the local screen this week. “Aren’t We All?" —isn't It a striking title? —is an ultra-modern play of a husband Kid wife who were rather indiscreet and whose romance was saved only by the efforts of an understanding old man of the world. It is tilled with brilliantly witty dialogue, and the situations are alternately very dramatic and very funny.. An exceptionally good cast has been secured, and under the direction of Mr A. E. Manning Hie players are acquitting themselves in a that suggests that “Aren't We All?” will lie one of the most entertaining productions seen in Hamilton. The cast includes Mrs Zelda Fahey, Mrs Walker, Misses Uniacke and Bunker, Messrs Frank Greer, Fred Jackson, David Reid. M. Burdis. It. J. Ferguson, J. E. Ewart and Kenneth Eadc. “Rio Rita” at Invercargill. The last of eight performances of “Rio Rita’’ will be given by the Invercargill Operatic Society to-night. Mr T. R. Pryde was producer and Mr Howard Moody (formerly with J. G. Williamson, Ltd.) music director. The principals were:— Rita Charlotte Bachelor Jim T. R. Pryde Dolly Vincente Brown Chick Roan K. G. Sopp I.ovatl \. G. Paine Esteban R. 'Hammond Under the heading of “An Outstanding Musical Comedy." an Invercargill paper says of Hie first performance: ••Rio Rita" mo\es rapidly from the first curtain through a wide variety of scenes of excellent singing and dancing. strong dramatic sequences ami broad comedy, and for more than three hours Hie audience is kept in a state of delight. In every respect Hie production Is a worthy one The reason for the popularity of “IVo Rita” is not difficult to understand. It carries a story more credible than most modern musical comedies: it contains a bewildering number ot delightful and catchy musical numbers; It moves swiftly with rapid change of scene, and it is set on the Mexican border lo enable it to lie given picturesque an J colourful frockWelllngton Operatic Society. “The tjuaker Girl" is being staged by the Wellington Operatic Society, the nine nights’ season having commenced on Wednesday niglii. Mr W. I S. Wauchop is producer, and the cast includes: — i Prudence \ilsa Woodward ! Princess Mathilda Joyce Myers i Jeremiah E. Harvey j Tony Chute Ron Pritchard ' Phoebe Hilda Webster ! Madame Blum Evelyn Weight ' Captain Charteris L. E. Bilev I Prince Carlos It. J. I.aurenson 1 There is a chorus of 80, and an augmented orchestra. “Rope" by Hamilton Playbox. The Hamilton Playbox broke new ground on Wednesday night, when it read the muider l'la>, "Rope," under Ihe direction of Mr Leslie Takle. The atmosphere of tenseness was maintained very cleverly. excellent work being done by Mis# Joy Duncan, Mrs M. Thomas, Messrs*. K. Brown, Noel Blunt, L. Takle, A. P Nelson and M. Thomas. Winner of Palmerston Drama Festival. The fourth annual festival of community drama, conducted by ihe Maiiawatu area of Ihe British Drama League at Palmerston North, was held this w eek. The winning play was “ A Privy Council,” presented by Hie Palmerston North Little Theatre Society, and this learn will proceed lo llawera lo compete in Hu* North Island elimination festival in September. "The Charlady and the Angel," singed by tiie Marlon Players, which was placed second, was only ono point behind, and Hie adjudicator, Miss Elizabeth Loe, recommended Hint this team should go to llawera if the first team was unable to do so. Following worn the awards:— R Certificates.—" Ticklers Time ” Levin Play Headers ; “ Privy Council “ Lillie Theatre Society',: and •• The Charlady and Iho Angel " Marlon Players . C i eel ideates. Churl's Son" i I’oha n-ina Women's llisl ilule' . |. Certificates. “'The Person Responsible “ Mil-on \\ omen's hisli - ! lute ami •• \ Mamaire Has Been \rraiiged Te ArakuraV Springboks at the Opera. Drama Festivals. Il.r Hawke’S Ray I Irani!. Fesl'ival h! In* held in I lie Municipal Theatre, liaslings. next week.