WITH THE AMATEUR PLAYERS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20492, 7 May 1938, Page 17 (Supplement)

WITH THE AMATEUR PLAYERS

“The Vagabond King” In Hamilton “The Vagabond King” will be staged for a week early in September by the Hamilton Operatic Society The producer, Mr Walter George, of Sydney, who directed "Rio Rita” s») successfully last year, will spend about two months in Hamilton. Criticism of Mls9 Elizabeth Loe Miss Elizabeth Loe, tutor-judge of the New Zealand branch of the Drama League, came in for much criticism at a meeting of Hie Waikato area of the League, at Hamilton last week. Several members said they did not object to Miss Loe’s criticism of their work, but they objected strongly to the manner In which that criticism was expressed. It should also be more helpful, especially to the more inexperienced players. They considered that some of the exercises at the drama school were more fit for a kindergarten than for players who knew something of the drama and stage work. lOther members thought that Miss Loe had been helpful to the various clubs. Eventually it was decided to engage Miss Loe as tutor for the drama school. Hamilton Playbox The Hamilton Playbox gave a reading of Barrie’s delightful play, "What Every Woman Knows," on Thursday night. There was a large attendance of membersThe play was read under the direction of Mrs Zelda Fahey, with the following cast:—Maggie, Miss G. Uniacke; Sybil, Miss M. Watts; Contesse, Miss Shepherd; Jojin Shand, Mr Graham Absolum; Allck, Mr H. J. Ferguson; James, Mr Eric Ewart; David, Mr Harry Parkes; Mr Venables, Mr W. Blake way. A pleasant hour of tea and chat followed the reading. To Cost £I2OO It Is said that the Dunedin Operatic Society's production of "The Vagabond King” will cost £I2OO. The original costumes and scenery of the professional production are to be obtained from Sydney. Playbox Farewells Roma Garratt Miss Roma Garratt, who will leave for England tills month, was farewelled on Thursday night by the Hamilton Playbox. The president, Mr 11. J. Ferguson, paid tribute to Miss Garratt’s services to the club, both as member and performer. Her charming personality had endeared her to all, and she would he greatly missed. On behalf of tlie members he asked her to acoept a handbag, with their good wishes for her happiness and success.

Miss Garratt, who was greeted with "She's a Jolly Good Fellow” and three hearty cheers, said her connection with the club had been very

A son of fhe famous Caruso, lives in New York to perfect his voice. The young Caruso dreams of following in Hie footsteps of his falher. The picture shows the singer, who is :?:i years old, in his home.

happy, and she would always have pleasant recollections of It. Hamilton Performers’ Club The Hamilton Performers’ Club continues its good work of developing talent and providing entertainment for its members. Last Saturday night, at the club rooms, an enjoyable programme was presented, under the direction of Mr Rex Walden and with Miss Leonie Swarbri-ck as M.C. Mr John Stevens, a singer new to Hamilton, was very popular, receiving a double encore. Items were also given by Mr YV. Whitehead, piano solos; Misses Edna and Thora Musgrove and Olive Terry, a sketch written by Mr Stan Carroll, a member of the club; violin solos, Mr R. McNab; tap dance, Miss Doris Walsh; songs, Miss Iris Ball and Mr Keith Pri-scott; dramatic recitations, Mr David Reid. A new concert party, the Golden Gaieties, has been formed, with Mr Stan Carroll as director, Mr Bert Andrews at the piano, and Mr Jack Agnew as stage manager. Rehearsals are proceeding very satisfactorily. A party from the Performers’ Club gave an excellent programme at Te Palm recently, the performers being Mrs C. Wilson, Miss Valerie Porter, the Bluett sisters, Messrs lan Overlieu. Ron Porter, Keith Priscott and Arthur Dawson. Students’ Revue In Christchurch "Mixed Vintage,” which was produced at the Theatre Royal, Christchurch, this week, showed the students of Canterbury University College at their brightest. The revue went with a swing; lively' choruses, bright interludes, sparkling I bn lie Is, and willy sketches combined | 1.. imke Hie best show yet produced I by the college.

PAST AND IMPENDING PRODUCTIONS

Advice to Amateurs May I give some advice to the members of the Hamilton Operatic Society? Much of the success of the production of "The Vagabond King” will depend on the chorus, for there are some very dramatic mob scenes In the spectacular musical play. If members will realise the meaning of the words and try to react accordingly, they will get the full value of the scene; it depends on themselves just as much as on the producer. In "Rio Rita" last ye'ar there was a very dramatic scene in which a spy was discovered. The girls and boys of the chorus were supposed to be amazed and horrified and to shout “A spy! A spy!” In the early rehearsals many of them said the words with as much emphasis as If they were saying "Tweet, tweet!” Of course this was rectified later. In the same way the spirit of the Rangers’ Chorus was never captured; It should have been one of the hits of the show—but It wasn’t! However, I am sure the chorus will give a good account of themselves In “The Vagabond King,” in which they will have great opportunities. * • * « "Why don’t amateurs take their encores snappily? It is always disconcerting to an audience when, having applauded warmly, with no apparent response from the performer, It makes up its mind that an encore Is not to be given, and sits back to await the next performer, only to find that the first one, after a comparatively long absence, during which the applause has died down, returns to the stage and gives a second item. This is an age of speed, and amateurs should follow the lead of professionals and "snap into it.” A professional would take half-a-dozen “calls” while an amateur is thinking of one. Teachers of Dancing for Hamilton Miss Joycelyn Howe and Miss Sally Nicoll, of Wellington, arrived in Hamilton this week to open a school of dancing in the Winter Show Hall. Miss Howe is to dance at the Winter Show. Ballroom and .operatic dancing, stage technique, etc., will be taught, and there will be health classes, business girls’ classes, and special classes for children. Miss Howe has had much experience in Australia, and also was ballet mistress for the Christchurch Operatic Society in “Les Cloches de Corneville” and other productions. I had the pleasure of seeing Miss Howe dance this week —ordinary tap, lap on toes, operatic and character—and found her work delightful. She Is very clous, and puts all of herself into her dancing. A character dance, "La .Marseillaise," a tale of the Legion, was a vivid bit of Svork.

i “The Two Mrs Carrolls” at Masterton I The Wairarapa Drama League openj ed the season at Masterton this week : with tlie production of "The Two Mrs j Carrolls.” “Rio Rita” at Napier Outstanding progress has been made with the production of "Rio Rita," the play shortly to be staged by the recently re-forrned Napier Operatic Society, and success is now assured. Thursday night saw the full cast at rehearsal under the direction of Mrs C. Mcßeath, the producer. The most noticeable feature of the play is that the characters have been admirably chosen, and apparently have entered into the spirit of the play. Mrs McCartney will have the 'title role, and Mr Ted Rivers will be Jim. Owing to pressure of work in other centres, the producer has been forced Lo leave Napier for a few weeks, and at the last rehearsal she was given a rousing send-off by the members of Hie east. She will not return until , a few nights before the show. Women’s Drama Festival In South The annual drama festival of the Marlborough Federation of Women’s Institutes took place at Blenheim on Thursday. Six entries were received, those from the Springlands-Farnham, Spring Greek, Koromiko, Plcton, Seddon and Blenheim Institutes. The plays were:—“All Night Service,” Springlands-Farnham Institute; “The Language of Love," Spring Creek Institute; "The Bride,” Koromiko Institute; "Ladies in Waiting,” Picton Institute; "The Privy Council.” Seddon Institute; and "Get It at Denby's,” Blenheim Institute. The adjudicator was Miss Elizabeth Loe. “Cinderella” at Dunedin The charming opera “Cinderella” will be presented by the Dunedin Juvenile Operatic Society to-night. The old fairy tale will be retold In song and dance by 50 juveniles. Hamilton Dancer’s Success

Considerable success was achieved by Miss Marjorie Joan Clements, of Hamilton, at the Napier Competitions Festival. Competing in six classes, Miss Clements was awarded first prize in five and second prize In the other. For her character dance, "Czardas,” the Judge remarked that it was one of } the best dances that she had seen and j she had given Miss Clements the highest marks awarded in the dancing sections at the Napier Competitions. Miss Clements was the winner of the Senior Dancing Championship. “Anthony and Anna” at Christchurch The Canterbury Repertory Society presented St. John Ervlne’s play "Anthony and Anna” at Christchurch this week. Brought together In “Anthony and Anna” are an Englishman with a rooted objection to work, who lives more or less by his wits, and a vivacious and attractive American girl whose millionaire father firmly believes that work is man’s greatest heritage. They are in an old English inn. the owner of which has an old-fashioned philosophy of life and a reverence for tradition, and there is the dissatisfied young waiter who wants to "whoop” things up, a pompous novelist in love with the American girl, and a penniless daughter of the nobility engaged to a "nouveau riche" Australian. These are tlie ingredients of this sparkling and witty comedy.