WITH THE AMATEURS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

WITH THE AMATEURS

Bernard Shaw Play For Hamilton The Hamilton Playbox has decided on “You Never Can Tell,” by Bernard Shaw, for its next production. The play will be staged about the end of September. Societies Help Each Other The Dunedin Operatic Society has offered to provide spectacular ballets on several nights during the Dunedin Competitions Festival, while the •Repertory Society has arranged a performance of the half-hour play “Martha and Mary.” “H.M.S. Pinafore” at New Plymouth The New Plymouth Girls’ High School held its annual dramatic performance on Wednesday. The entire proceeds were devoted to the Red Cross Fund. Members of the junior school presented “Jan of Windmill Land,” with costumes and songs typical of Dutch life. The senior school presented Gilbert and Sullivan’s popular comic opera, “H.M.S. Pinafore.” Hamilton Playbox One of the most enjoyable readings of the season took place at the meeting of the Hamilton Playbox on Wednesday, when “Dusty Ermine” was presented to a large muster of members. Mr Albert Cope was the producer and the readers were Mrs E. Marsh, Misses Mary MacKenzie, Irene Clark and Phyllis Kear, Messrs Malcolm Thomas, Graham Absolum, Marcus James, Richard Pedrotti, Kenneth Sandford and Stanley Carroll. Hamilton Magicians’ Club At the monthly meeting of the Hamilton Magicians’ Club there was a full attendance of members. After business had been attended to a good programme of magic was given by all members. The club has the prospect of four very keen new members, which would add considerably to the strength of the club. Magicians have been very busy during the last week or two entertaining the troops at the Hopu Hopu camp and also around town.

Former Hamiltonian in Wanganui Bert Hickford (formerly of Hamilton) and his wife, both popular in amateur activities in Wellington, have removed to Wanganui.

Pantomime at Invercargill The pantomime “Dick Whittington” was staged at Invercargill last night, and two more performances will be given today (afternoon and evening). The proceeds will go to the Soldiers’ Sick and Wounded Fund. Dunedin Shakespeare Club “The Merchant of Venice” was read by the Dunedin Shakespeare Club last week. The club has an outstanding cultural record. During the 64 seasons it has been in operation it has contrived to persent a volume and variety of interpretations which covers practically the whole of the playwright’s major works and which has included most of the strange and noble characters which are the “reason for the faith we English have in Shakespeare.” “French Without Tears” at Dunedin The Otago University Dramatic Society’s interpretation of Terence Rattigan’s farcical comedy, “French Without Tears,” in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, was uproariously funny, says a Dunedin paper. The audience found it so, though it was not a very large audience—a very small one, in fact. “French Without Tears” is not what might be called a considerable play. The story must be taken at its face value, and then all that is necessary is to sit back and enjoy it without reserve. But as entertainment it is manna from heaven in these difficult days—like a glass of sparkling water straight from the spring.