FESTIVAL OF DRAMA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 224, 21 September 1935, Page 13

FESTIVAL OF DRAMA.

THREE EMOTIONAL PLAYS.

BEST PROGRAMME TO DATE.

Without doubt the best single evening's entertainment during the current Festival of Community Drama, organised by the local area of the British Drama League (New Zealand branch), was enjoyed by the largest audience of the season in the Town Hall Concert Chamber last evening. This afternoon the juvenile section of the competition is being run off, five plays being presented. A number of orphanage children are being entertained by the league. The competition will conclude to-night, with presentations of "Campbell of Kilinolir," by the Waikato Diocesan High School drama circle, of "A Rose in Bloom," by the Takanini W.D.F.U. drama circle, and of "In the Shadow of the Glen," by the Playhouse Players. Monday evening will see the conclusion of the festival, with special performances by winning teams and presentation of cups and certificates.

The first play, "Tlie Patchwork Quilt," by Rachel Field, was staged by Mrs. Tate, who produced "When the Whirlwind Blows" earlier in the week. Mrs. Tate drew her cast from "the New Women's Club drama circle, herself playing the central role. The play, which incidentally was included in a previous local drama festival, was excellently done, its somewhat limited scope being fully utilised. The play's meaning, commented the adjudicator, Mr. Kenneth Brampton, was brought out admirably, and ihe players' sense of climax was most suitably reyealed. In particular he praised the work of Mrs. Tate.

The second offering was Mary Pakington's famous "House with the Twisty Windows," a psychological drama with its locale laid in Bolshevik Petrograd shortly after the October revolution. Some splendid dramatic acting by a balanced cast pvas seen, and the adjudicator paid tribute tq. the company's high standard of dramatic endeavour. Mr. Norton Hammond and his players, from the Victoria League Dramatic Circle, made firstrate opportunity of the capital of the tremendously difficult scope offered in the play. Some of the roles were, said Mr. Brampton,' perfectly done, while the final curtian and climactic fall were most cleverly arranged.

The local area of the Drama League has realised that its annual festival is a box office success as well as an. artistic one. When the final tributing comes it must pass the credit on to the producers. They are responsible for the quality of entertainment provided, and this year has seen an unequalled list of talented men and women give of their best. Last night's final play was a masterpiece of production. Mr. A. J. C. Fisher's presentation of "Room 83," by the New Zealand authoress. Mrs. Helen M. Parker, will be hard to beat in any competition section. Mr. Brampton, saying that the play was "marvellous," remarked that the leading player in an anonymous cast "did everything that a Grand Guignol actress could do." He complimented each of the eight members of the cast without exception, and said that every one of them played his or her role to perfection. Leading to a powerful, yet subtle climax, the play, as Mr. Brampton expressed it. enthralled its audience. "I have nothing to say," he added, "but to congratulate the players from my heart."