ORIGINAL PLAYS

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20511, 30 May 1938, Page 6

ORIGINAL PLAYS

HAMILTON PRESENTATION W.E.A. MEMBERS’ ACTIVITIES AN INTERESTING EVENING An interesting- and entertaining time was spent by a large audience in the Centreway Rooms on Saturday night, when three plays written by members of the Hamilton branch of the Workers’ Educational Association were presented. and afterwards an address on dramatic art was given by Mr Arnold Goodwin, of Auckland. Mr J. M. Bamford referred to the desire of the W.E.A. to encourage its members in developing the arts. He gave a warm welcome to Mr Goodwin. “ The written by Mr J. Treloar, had the following cast:— Hubert Vigor, a doctor, Mr J. M. Bamford; Charles Parish, a minister, Mr F. Jackson; John Brunei, an inventor, Mr J. Treloar. The play dealt with a trip to Mars —an allegorical Heaven—in an endeavour by the inventor to find the much-loved wife who had died. Some Home-truths “ The Eternal Door,” written by Mr David Reid, also had an “ otherworld ” theme, for the girl who had been killed In a motor accident, made a visit to the family which had arranged for her a mercenary marriage, and told them a few home-truths. The players were: —Alice, Mrs A. P. Nelson; Mrs Cahill, Mrs F. Bullock; John, Mr David Reid; Mr Cahill, Mr W. J. Earl. The third play, written by Mr F. A. de la Mare, was “ Wrecks in the Wake,” or “ Justice on Trial.” This sought to show that prison refegm methods were very unsatisfactory. The cast was: Joan Castelet, Mrs T. P. Weatherhog; Rightwin, Dean Weatherhog; Sir John Prymme, Mr J. Treloar; Julius Rodder, Mr J. M. Bamford; a magistrate, Mr H. M. Davidson; prisoners, Messrs. W. J. Earl, David Reid and H. Parkes; Pebble, Mr R. Treloar; Kinstone, Mr J. Page; Pickles, Mr F. Jackson. Mr Goodwin's Remarks Mr Goodwin said that the readings had been some of the most intelligent he had heard. They were adequately cast and well played, and the work was all admirable and pregnant with possibilities. The first play, *' The Seeker,” had too much talk and too little action, perhaps, but it was good work. “ The Eternal Door,” though it had the time-honoured device of the delayed telegram, was the nearest approach to a play of the three; the dialogue was interesting and it was extremely well read. In “ Wrecks in the Wake ” the writer was seized with his subject of prison reform, and It was convincing as dialogue but not as a play. Mr Goodwin then gave an interesting talk on dramatic art, at the close of which, on the motion of Mr J. Treloar, seconded by Mr J. Bamford, he was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. A pleasant social hour concluded a very Interesting and entertaining evening.