WITH THE AMATEURS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20911, 16 September 1939, Page 15 (Supplement)

WITH THE AMATEURS

Night of Plays In Hamilton Next Thursday night, at the Wniter Show Hall, three one-act plays will be staged, and should draw a large audience, for rarely is such an entertaining programme presented in Hamilton. There will be “Two Gentlemen of Soho,” that very clever and amusing burlesque on the Shakespearean style that won the recent drama festival in Hamilton; “The Pilgrims,” a striking little drama which came second in the festival; and the first act of “Home and ißeauty,” which recently entertained playgoers so much. The proceeds will go towards the expenses of sending the winning team to Palmerston North to compete in the New Zealand finals of the Drama League. Hamilton Girl Writes Play A Hamilton girl, Rosalie Seddon, whose work as elocutionist, play reader, etc., is well known, has written a three-act historical play, that, reaches a high standard. It is likely that the play will be produced within the next few months in Hamilton. “ Lucky Dip ” at Masterton The Masterton Little Theatre Society will give two performances of “ Lucky Dip,” a very amusing comedy by Frank Yosper, next week. The proceeds will go to the Mayor’s Emergency Fund. Odets Play For Hamilton “Till the Day I Die,” a striking and thought-compelling play by Clifford Odets, is in rehearsal and will be staged at Frankton shortly. Hamilton Playbox “The Red Umbrella,” a very entertaining comedy by Brenda Girvan and Monica Cosens, was read by the Hamilton Playbox on Wednesday night. There was a good attendance of members and the reading was much enjoyed. With Mr David Reid as director, excellent work was done by the readers, Mesdames S. Walker, H. Curling, A. Cope and M. Thomas, Miss Joy DuncarT, Messrs D. Reid, S. Carroll, R. Pedrotti, M. Thomas and Moore. “The late Christopher Bean,” which the Playbox will stage next month on behalf of the funds of the Red Gross, is a very interesting and amusing play. Mrs Zelda Fahey will be the producer. Inglewood Operatic Bociety Two performances of the sparklingmusical comedy, “ Leave It To Jane,” will be given next week by the Inglewood Operatic Society. “ Marama ” by Hastings Operatic Society At a general meeting of the Hastin-gs Operatic Society it was unanimously decided to 'produce the musical play, “ Marama, Maid of the Moonlight,” as the society’s contribution to the Hastings Centennial Memorial Fund. This musical comedy was written and composed by two Hastings residents, Mr H. S. B. Ribbands, who wrote the libretto, and the late Mr Archie Don. who composed the music. Hastings theatre-goers will recall the enthusiastic reception accorded this opera when first presented in Hastings in 1920. Indeed so successful was it that the play was put into production professionally and toured New Zealand to capacity houses. “ Marama, Maid of the Moonlight.” will be produced in May, 19 40. Presentation to Wellington Producer Two audiences that packed the Wellington Town Hall Concert Chamber witnessed the final performances of “Dear Octopus” by the Wellington Repertory Society on Saturday afternoon and evening. At the fall- of the curtain there were calls lor the producer, Mr Leo du Chateau, hut he preferred to allow the cast to take lull credit for their excellent work. Afterwards the cast assembled on the stage, when Mr Algernon Deuber, on behalf of those concerned, presented Mr du Chateau witli a case of razors. There was also a beautiful spray of llowers for Mrs du Chateau.