COMMUNITY DRAMA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 206, 1 September 1933, Page 13

COMMUNITY DRAMA.

FIRST ANNUAL FESTIVAL. THIRD NIGHT'S PLAYS. The third night's performances in 'the first annual festival of community drama of the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League were given last night in the Concert Chamber. Again, the criticisms of the adjudicator for;the Auckland area, Miss Elizabeth Blake, were candid. The first play, "Challenge," written by Mrs. H. C. Parker, of Auckland, and produced by the Georgian readers with Miss Althea Parker, Mr. H. McK. Geddes and Miss Trixie Abel in the only three roles, greatly pleased Miss Blake. "A distinctly able performance and extraordinarily interesting, with good 'business' and 'timing,' " was her verdict. The second production, a farce, entitled "Mr. John," was by the Victoria League Entertainment Circle. Miss Blake said that this was not a good play, the beginning and end being weak. The players showed good team work, and a good sense of gesture and character. The players were Misses Louise Jourdain, Mary Cruickshank, Eileen Adkins, Mary Pilkington, Roseanne Lovell, Eve Humphries and Nancy Paterson. The Garrick Dramatic Society produced the last act of. Sir Arthur Wing Pinero's "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray." "An extremely interesting performance and- well worth doing," said the adjudicator. She remarked that the play belonged to a period 40 years ago, and was difficult to play convincingly to-day. She considered it was easier to interpret in the dress of the period. Miss Blake commented on the stage settings, which were extremely effective. The players were Misses Nancy Warren, Minna Mays, Joan Airey, and Messrs. Howard Newcombe, Norman Tibbut, Joseph Molloy and Arthur Snaith. To-night four new plays will be produced.