SUCCESS OF N.Z. WRITER

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27533, 15 December 1954, Page 14

SUCCESS OF N.Z. WRITER

PLAY AT EDINBURGH FESTIVAL

(From Out Own Reporter) GREYMOUTH. December 14. A Kumam-born playwright, Mr Stafford Byrne, has attained the distinction of having his first play presented at the Edinburgh Festival of Music and Drama. Mr Byrne wrote the lyrics, composed the music, directed the production, and acted in the play himself. The play, “All on a Summer’s Day,** is a Victorian pastiche and was presented by the London Club Theatre Group, which has presented three satirical revues at previous festivals. Mr Byrne also has scored a personal success In the part of an ageing Victorian.

• The Edinburgh “Evening News’* described the play as “entrancing as a perfect summer day of sweet memory.” The “Scotsman,” a leading EdinI burgh paper, said: “The whole of this light and charming play with music is keyed to the same gospel of makebelieve which as a result sounds a new note in this year’s festival. It is becoming fashionable to put the nineties under contribution for this kind of frolic. The dialogue might pass for that of Pinero’s “Schoolmistress,” but it is the lyrics which take the fancy most. The whole show is put over in a most enjoyable way.”