WITH THE AMATEURS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21242, 12 October 1940, Page 13 (Supplement)

WITH THE AMATEURS

Death at Dunedin There will be much sympathy for Mr Walter Russell-Wood, the wellknown teacher of dramatic art and competitions judge, in the death of his mother, which took place at Dunedin last Sunday. Mrs Russell-Wood won many friends when she resided in Hamilton some years ago, and her death will be greatly regretted. Mr RussellWood was the founder of the Hamilton Playbox. Sympathy tvill also be extended to Mrs H. Varney and Mr G. Kingston, prominent members of the Hamilton Operatic Society, in the death of their mother.

Hamilton Playbox A Hamilton Playbox audience had keen enjoyment on Wednesday night from a reading of J. B. Priestley’s comedy. “Bees on the Boat-Deck.” With Mrs Joy Sullivan as producer, the following cast entered well into the spirit of the play:—Gridley, Mr D. Reid; Patch, Mr J. Churton; Hilda, Miss Shirley Burton; Ursula, Mrs Zelda Fahey; Hetherington, Mr H. J. Ferguson; Lord Cottingley, Mr W. H. Blakeway; Captain Millock, Mr A. E. Cope; Slivers, Mr M. Thomas; Sergeant Wilks, Mr Baker; Gasper, Mr G. Garvey; Toake, Mr G. R. Bowden.

The president, Mr W. H. Blakeway, announced that as a result of the recent production of George Bernard Shaw’s “You Never Can Tell,” the sum of £27 Is 3d was available for the patriotic funds. He voiced the thanks of the Playbox to everyone who had given assistance in the production, and after congratulating the producer, Mrs Zelda Fahey, and the cast on the performance. asked Mrs Fahey to accept a silver sandwich tray as a mark of appreciation of her work. Why Do Amateurs Do It? At the rehearsal of the Pageant of Empire in Hamilton this week I was interested to hear the director, Miss Phyllis Torpy, advise her forces against forming a straight line on the stage/ This is a point that I have emphasised over and over again, and seems to be a particular failing with Hamilton amateurs. Nothing is more ugly or more unnatural than a straight line (except, of course, if a military effect is desired), and yet we see amateurs constantly getting into such a formation, very often straight behind the footlights. As Miss Torpy pointed out, this is breaking a fundamental rule of the stage.

“Babes in the W’ood” in Hamilton This pantomime, to be staged in Hamilton shortly, has a very colourful opening scene introducing many nursery rhymes, the popular choice being “Babes in the Wood.” This is one of many beautiful scenes, intermingled with modern songs and some very effective ballets, duos and solos.

Advice to Amateurs “No amount of bad acting can detract from the value of a really good play,” said Miss Freda Gibbs, of College, when summing up the three competitive one-act play-read-ings produced by individual members of the Hastings Women’s Community Club. “And, conversely,” she added, “a bad play will always come through even with the best acting. “It therefore behoved all amateurs to choose a good play,” she continued, “and for a play-reading

especially that of the naturalistic or - realistic type when only the voice can be used to give effect.”