An Array of Women in Dunedin Play

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 22, 7 December 1934, Page 18

An Array of Women in Dunedin Play

"Nine Till Six," a Play With an All-Woman Cast, Successfully Produced by Dunedin Amateurs — Canterbury Repertory’s Latest Production Macabre Drama in Wellington.

I Ast week in Dunedin the Dunedin Repertory Society presented the play "Nine Till Six," by Aimee and Philip Stuart, with outstanding success. A large all-woman cast, with a woman producer, Miss Bessie Thomson, gave a delightful rendering of this popular piece, which was universall) praised in Dunedin. The "Otago Daily Times" said: "Do not be afraid of such an array of women, They are absorbingly amusing, instructively profound in many ways, generally beantifully gowned, and strietly confined to the stage. It is an admirable production and well worthy of special suzcess, "*Nine Till Six,’ although the type of play that will keep people lightly eutertained after ‘dinner, and put them in 2 humour for their supper, is not with. out a prevailingly sombre tone. Th? dialogue is interesting and frequently brilliant; the situations are. punctuat ed with profound thought, and, above all, the authors show an impressive ‘and remorseless knowledge of feminine nature which enlivens the somewhat slight theme, The society’s ‘Nine Till" Six,’ however, has the additional dis tinction of heing splendidly interpret: ed. The entire cast found scope te show of what they were capable, and they were not found wanting. Mueh of the credif for this must go to Miss Bessie Thomson, who reproduced that brilliance which made her production of ‘The Dover Road’ so peculiarly satis. fying," "WPARY, Mary, Quite Contrary," with which the. Canterbury Repertory Society concluded its 1984 programme last week, is an extremely amusing comedy by St, John Hrvine, regarded is one of the most witty of presentday writers of comedy, The interest centres in the part of an actress, play€d by Mrs. Guy Ootterill, who has given notable performances. in previous productions by the society, and it is safe to say that she enhanced her reputation in the latest show. Playing opposite Mrs. Cotterill was Mr. G S. Salter as her Cockney manager. displaying indignation and despair in 4 manner which showed that the society has discovered in him a real comedian, . Other important parts were taken by Miss Agnes Richardson, Mr. Cyril Wheeler, Miss Winifred Smith. Dr. Robinson Hall, Messrs,. Hunter and Tothill-all of whom are’ well known to Christchurch Repertory sup-porters-and Mrs. I. MeIntyre and Miss Disie Smith, ‘THE next amateur production to be presented in Wellington:will be the Thespians’ presentation of Patrick Tlamilton’s "Rope," which is to be given in the Concert Ohamber of the Town Hall on December 19, 20 and 21. This extremely dramatie play-described by

its author as "a De Quinceyish essay in the macabre’-will be interpreted by a cast which includes several wellknown Wellington amateurs, and one or two new performers. "Rope" demands acting ability of a high order from several of the characters, but the producer, Mr, Victor 8. Lloyd, is very pleased with the way the play is shaping in rehearsal. That the Thespians have plenty of talent available was damonstrated at the social evening held in the Little Theatre last Saturday, When two one-act plays, "The Step mother" (A. A, Milne), and a bright. farce, "The House Agent," were presented, with a number of sketches and items by members of the society.

[THE first session of the Sumner Community Drania Society was brought to a successful close with the presentation of three one-act plays. Consideving that the society has been in existence under three months, the productions were of a remarkably high standard, and reflect the greatest credit oa Mrs. Spence-Clark both as an instructor and as a producer. The acting was uniformly good, and in a number of cases showed an ease and finish suvprising in so young an acting community. The next séssion of the society ix being looked forward to with keeti anticipaiton by both performers and those interested.