Outstanding Auckland Production

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 19, 23 November 1934, Page 16

Outstanding Auckland Production

Auckland Catholic Repertory Society Wins High Praise For Production of "Autumn Fires" -- Spanish Comedy in Wellington — Auckland ‘to Have Its Own Repertory, ‘Theatre:

HE Auckland Catholic Repertory ’ Society concluded its 193 senson recently with T. C. Murray’s powerful study of Irish life and .char: acter, "Autumn. Fire." Miss Ysolinde McVeagh, the. society’s talented -honoviy, producer, deserves’ great credit for her artistic interpretation of one ol the most difficult plays ever produced on the Auckland. stage, by which she proved conclusively that the great suecess of "Charles and Mary," the. society’s. last presentation,: was no accident. A feature of the production was the amazing character study. presented by'a new amateur star, Mr. Peter Brennan, who infused power and force into the figure of Owen Keegan, the elderly farmer whose. confidence in -himse!f and in his own vitality leads him: ‘to ruin four lives’ by marrying a — girl young enough.to be his own daughter. Mr. Brennan’s acting in. the moving climax of the play showed a complete grasp of the essentials of sympathetir SPECIAL praise is also due to. Miss Doreen Saunders, who submerged; her’ own’ personality completely... in’ *. the difficult, role. of Kilen : ‘Keegan, a young girl, embittered ‘against’. the world through an early disappointment to ‘Miss.:Patsy Penty, Who made the. paradoxical charactér of Nance Desmond’ a* ‘tragic portrait. which ‘will: not: be easily ‘forgotten; and to Mr. T, Q’Shea, who played the part of ‘the young son,. Michel Keegan, ' torn between loyalty to his ather and love-for-his beautiiul stepmother, .and ‘infused’ into the role a rare and pleasing quality of restraint and sympathy, ‘A. delightful feature of the whole production was ‘the na. tural, unaffected brogue of all the characters, which, offered a welcomé antidote to the: ‘atrocious "stadia, ; Irish" which is, alas, ‘only.too common. The play was performed to capacity houses and has been proclaimed by the Auck: land Presg as one of the society's : most artistic. productions, , :

pure ae. six, fansite ‘anid six male characters in ‘the Quintéra: brothers’ (hree-act: comedy: which, jis: "£05, be presented . "Dy: the: ‘Wellington « "Repertory Theatre- Saciety in-~the Concert Chamber this weék. The -cast-is as follows: Currita, Miss M. Murray; Dona Matciala, Miss. Ix Wilson; Dona- Pholimela, Miss Hi-Miles; Bulatia, Miss J. Dinnigon; Carmen Oaiipos, Mrs. §, ‘Tansley; Rosa Campos, Miss K. Aldridge ; Papa Juan, Mr. B.S, Baldwin; *, Trina’ Mr. NEA. ; Byrtte ;. :Don: Mr. G. W. I.’ Antonon, Mr: Vz. Rvans; Alonso,: Mii "H, A. Painter; Manuel, Mr. GO. Cooper. Mr. W. J. Conroy is responsible for the scenery, Miss Pauline Shotlander has supervised the dressing; the Misses Ailsa Newton and Kathlyn Smith are in charge

of the properties; and Mr. W. J. Johustone is chief mechanist, with Mr. C. Watson as stgge manager. The story of the play, which has been adapted by Mr, and Mrs. Granville Barker, telis of Papa. Juan and his family. The former is arranging a. party to cee brate his hundredth birthday. Out of. this is constructed a picture of humanity, and it is impressed that age often finds redemption in philosophic insighi

‘ while the fact that the scenes are laid in Spain emphasises the universality of the fundamentals of: life. The production, which will be limited to four performances, will be-tnder ‘the direction of Mr. Leo du Chatean. HE choir of the Christchurch Returned. Soldiers’ Association. presented the second concert for the 1934 season in the Jellicoe Hall last evening. ‘There was a capacity house, and an. appreciative audience. During the evening, the Rev..F..T. Read, president of the Christchurch Returned Soldiers’ . Association, thanked the visiting artists and the audience for their attendance, and referred to the great improvement in the choir wnder the baton of Mr. Victor C, Peters. It was on occasions Such as this, said Mr, Read, that one saw the returned soldier at his best. Rousing choruses and solos made up an attractive programme, Mr. Victor C. Peters. was conductor, and the accompanist was Miss Aileen Warren.

[HE story of the seige of Babylon and its capture by the. Persian, . Cyrus, is. well known to ail Bible students. _When such a story. is set to inspired music the result is a magnificent oratorio. "Belshazzar," the abridged edition of which, is. to be sung. by the Royal’ Christchurch * Musical ‘Society for the first time in New. Zealand on Wednesday,, November 21, is: one of Handel’s masterpieces, containing rotis-" ing choruses, mélodious . solos; > and dramatic recitatives. Mr. A. G, Thomp‘son, the conductor of-the: Royal Christchurch: Musical. Sociéty; hopes to. give | a first-class. performance, and soloists of outstanding ability have been: engaged. : A UCKLAN D is to have its own ri Repertory Theatre, the project. being ‘estimated’. to cost.’ £25,000," . Already an option has’ been obtained over a suitable site in the city, and‘ sketch de . signs have been prepared for a_building that will incorporate all the most modern ideas. from data of repertory theatres in Europe: and America, while the headquarters of the British‘Drama ‘League have provided great assistance us well. The auditorium: is planned to seat 900, and js like the. sector of a circle, the rear seats being’ lifted to™ form a gallery. Thé background.. for ' the flat stage is. to be in the form of a cyclorama or‘ gréat. concave. surface’ of white plaster curving horizontally on a wide radius. Its main use will be to represent the dome of heaven"in: outdoor scenes, and under suitable lighting. to give the illusion of illimitable space, ~ Special lighting effects’ will be -inioduced, allowing the presentation of ' any form of drama-from Shakespeare to Noel Coward. Dressing-rooms, a greenroom, a coffee-room, and.a-hall or ballroom in the basement, are ale on the plans. Coo yan. big. musical production "White Horse Inn" is-described ag the most spectacular and elaborate ever staged in Australia. It is claimed by J. C. Williamson, Ltd., that "White Horse Inn" also includes the most beautiful stage settings and intricate scenic and lighting effects, as well as the biggest number of artists who have -ever: appeared in a stage show. Some indication of the scope of the production is given by the fact. that. there are’ no fewer than.15 different scenes in the three acts of "White Horse Inn,". and 80 musical numbers, dancés., and ballets. The. golden-voiced Strella. Wilson, the. popular Australian. prima donna, has a splendid. role, dnd: the lengthy cast’ includes . Arthur’ Stigant, Sidney. Burchall, Charles’ Norman, Jack and Sylvia Kellaway; Leslie. Victor, Marie Doran, Victor Gouriet, and others, together with: the picturesque troupe of imported Tyrolean dancers.