WITH THE AMATEUR PLAYERS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20498, 14 May 1938, Page 15 (Supplement)

WITH THE AMATEUR PLAYERS

Hamilton Party at Hopu Hopu A party from Hamilton (selected by Mrs Myra Booth who was unable to attend owing to a bereavement) presented items for the entertainment of the soldiers in camp at Hopu Hopu. Mr W. Whitehead led community N singing with several popular marching ditties. The rest of the programme was as follows: Miss Patty Blake, recitations and operatic dance; Mrs. Coralie O’Connor, songs; Mrs Wiki Bennett, Maori songs; Misses Yvonne McLachlan (’cello) and Celia McLachlan (violin) and Mrs McLachlan (piano;, trio and also solo items; Miss Florence Redman and Mr G. Kingston, tap dances; Mr E- Meyer and his ventriloquist dummy; Mr John Stevens, songs; Mr Rex Walden, songs. A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation and supper was provided the visitors. “The Show” at Duiedln "The Dunedin Repertory Society was thought by many cri ics to have chosen a difficult 'play, and It is to the credit of th*» producer. Mr W. Russell-Wood ( of Hamilton . and the players that they were able to achieve a success of a work be»et with pitfalls for amateurs,’’ said the Otago Daily Times in referring to the production of John Galsworthy’s “The Show.” Auckland University Dramatic Club Plays to be read by the Auckland University College Dramatic Club are Tcbekov's “Cherry Orchard*” Moliere’s “Medecfn Malgre Lui,’’ Pirandello’s ‘‘Sicilian Limes,” “Arden of Feversham.’’ a Chinese play, Rornain s “Dr. Knock,” Denis Johnson’s "Moon tn the Yellow River,” and an old French miracle play of the Crucifixion. Towards the end of the second term “The Tidings Brought to Mary,” by Paul Claudel, will be produced. Women’s Institutes* Drama Festival Only half a point separated the first two plays in the South Taranaki Women’s Institutes’ drama festival at Hawera. “Me and My Diary.” presented by the Patea Institute, was placed flr>t. and “Her Affairs in Order.** presented by the Turitown>hip Institute, was second. Tho standard of plays had improved each year the festival had been held. Mrs A. A. Carey, federation president.

Speeding Up Bhakespeare The producer of “The Merchant of Venice” for the Wellington Repertory Theatre is Mr W. S. Wauchop, who aims at presenting the play on modern, swiftly moving lines. Dunedin Playbox An interesting excursion into the realms of experimental drama was made by the Dunedin Playbox Players on Tuesday evening, when, under* Mr W. Russell-Wood's direction, they appeared in 11. G. Stevens’s “Immortal Garden,” a play In a prologue and three acts. Dunedin Shakespeare Club The Dunedin Shakespeare Club presented a reading of “As You Like It” on Thursday. “As You Like It” provides a wealth of originality in characterisation and delightful comedy scenes, and is one of the most fa\oured of the club's presentations. Success of New Producer The large audience which saw the first-night production by the Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society of “Anthony and Anna,” says a Christchurch paper, must have* felt certain of a* least one thing in that the society has a real acquisition in its new producer. Miss Nancy Nicholson. She comes from Invercargill, and has had extensive training abroad, the latter fact being fully evident throughout the production. Despite tiie excellence of Miss Nicholson's work in tin's, her first production for the society, it must be said that the Canterbury Itepertorians havi enjoj ed greater triumphs than Anthony and Anna.” The play Is quit** a pleasant comedy, but it*has weaknesses. Much of its humour is forced: some of it is not in the best Of taste and without that brilliance which is the only possible excuse for a lapse from good taste: action drags badly in the first and third sets, anil the climax is rather flat. Play-writing Competitions After lapsing for one year, the playwriting competitions conducted by the British Drama League, New Zealand branch, will l»e held again this year, lit** cboing date for entries being Julv 15. There will be two competitions, one for junior writers not over is years of age, and one for senior competitors.