THREE ONE-ACT PLAYS

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21087, 12 February 1934, Page 15

THREE ONE-ACT PLAYS

I'KKSENTATIOX BY CATHOLIC DRAMA SOCIETY The Catholic Drama Society showed by its presentation of three one-act plays in the parish hall, Barbadoes street, on Saturday night that it has a virile and progressive spirit. The first evidence of this was in the choice of the plays, which were: "The Bride" (Jennings), one of the most successful comedies of 1933; "100 Not Out" (Thompson), also a comedy, and "Waterloo" (Conan Doyle), the play made famous by Sir Henry Irving s characterisation of the central character, Corporal Brewster, sole and veteran survivor of England's final battle against Napoleon. The progress of the society was also manifested in the production and the acting. By reason of its subject and treatment, its authorship, and Sir Henry Irving's association with it, "Waterloo" was, of course, the most ambitious production of the three. Nevertheless it was the most enjoyed by the audience, and brought forth the best acting of the evening. It tells of the last days of a veteran corporal of the Guards, whose hope for the future is that after death he will again bo able to join the Guards. It is a production full of pitfalls for amateurs. Nevertheless, creditable performances were given by all the players, with Mr A. L. Curry, as the corporal, outstanding. His role required delicate interpretation, and an unusual amount of restraint, and with the exception of two or three brief interludes, his portrayal was accurate. The others in the cast were: Mr J. Fogarly, who bore himself well as Sergeant McDonald, Miss Peg. Gilooly, grand-niece of the corporal, and Mr J. Moriarty, Colonel Midwinter. The play next in popularity with the audience was "The Bride." A young woman is about to be married —the bells are already ringing—but her wedding dress has not an-ived. The non-delivery of the dress, it transpires, is an attempt by the relatives of a rejected suitor to stop the wedding, and the attempt very nearly succeeds, the dress arriving only at the very last moment.

Miss Thelrna Cusack, as Joyce, the bride, was sufficiently frantic in her actions and vehement in her language, and she was ably supported by the rest of the cast, which was: Miss Esmc Browne, as Susan, an amusing maid; Miss Marion Hayward, as Mrs Irving, the distracted mother of the bride; Miss Peggy Daly, as Judith, bridesmaid; Miss Yvonne Flood, as Madame Grace, the dressmaker; and Miss Alice Fox, as Miss Sparrow, a relative of Ihe rejected young man. The third play, "100 Not Out," is about a family gathering on the hundredth birthday of an old lady. It is difficult, especially for amateurs, for most of the cast are required to stand on the stage for a long period with nothing in particular to do. However, Mrs Windsor, as Mrs Buckhurst, the centenarian, showed a great deal of understanding in her interpretation, and controlled her voice excellently. Her chief support, Mr T. Tobin, as Jim, the black sheep of the family, acted with confidence. The others in the cast were: Miss rtosie McKendry, as Dorothy, a maid; Mrs I.ennon, as Hester, a nurse; Mr J. Gillespie, a reporter: Mr J. Warren, as Lionel, son of Mrs Buckhurst; Mr Ralph Dunne, as Percy, another son; Miss Jean Gillespie, as Emmelino. a daughter; Mr Ken Healey, as a doctor; and Mr J. Moriarty, as the Rev. Mr Hollls.

At the conclusion of the evening, Mr A. L. Curry thanked the audience and all who had helped to produce the plays, and the producer, Mr H. L. Shaw, made an appeal for more young women to become active members of the society.