DRAMA FESTIVAL.

Auckland Star, 2 September 1933, Page 11

DRAMA FESTIVAL.

FOUR ONE-ACT PLAYS. PLAYERS COMPLIMENTED. Four one-act plays were presented at the Town Hall last evening under the auspices of the Auckland area of the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League, which is holding its first annual dramatic festival. Miss Elizabeth Blake was adjudicator. . ; The first was a juvenile sketch, "Break of Day," in which Estelle and Monica Levene had the leading parts. Miss Blake praised the audibility and simplicity of the children's performance, and said that they showed a marked gift for acting. She expressed regret that owing to the lack of other juvenile entries, the contribution was excluded from the competition. "The Sisters' Tragedy" was played by members of the Elam Dramatic Club, who chose to remain anonymous. "There was beauty as well as horror in this remarkable play," said Miss Blake, "and I was very much impressed by its performance.' . In lighter vein, "Judgment," acted by members of the Writers' Club, also won praise from Miss Blake, who complimented the players on their handling of the spavkr ling dialogue. The roles were filled by Mrs. C. Gilbert, Mrs. May Richmond, Miss V. de Montalk, Mrs. Gertrude Porter, Miss Scott-Young and Mrs. Ariel Minehold, while Mr. J. M. Clark was producer. Commenting on "Borgia," played by members of the Lyceum Club Dramatic Circle, Miss Blake said that she regretted that more "costume" plays had not been presented, as they gave great scope for d'/amatic action. Mrs. Estelle Verran took tlie part of Giannetta Caffarelli, and Miss Edna Craig that of Beatrice of Orsini, while Mr. Norton Hammond was Cesare Borgia.