ONE-ACT PLAYS PRESENTED

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28754, 27 November 1958, Page 7

ONE-ACT PLAYS PRESENTED

Teachers’ College Drama Groups

Three one-act plays organised by the drama groups of the Christchurch Teachers’ College were presented in the college hall last evening. They wore all very different and the first was particularly valuable in that it offered scope for a large cast. F. Siaden-Smith’s “The Man who Wouldn’t Go To Heaven” is a play of an unusual type. It demands considerable organising powers and a more concerted effort than the players were able to give it last evening. Nevertheless Bill Taylor’s work in connecting the parts, by overruling his unruly guests, was valuable, and he spoke his lines clearly and well. Ron Twohill was generally convincing as the contentious atheist, Richard Alton, and Sally Ward as Mrs Muggins provided some bright moments.

However, the most pleasing item of the programme was John Ferdinand’s production of Wolf Mankowitz’s “The Bespoke Overcoat.” Although the pace sometimes flagged, the players brought out the oddity of the characters and the strangeness of the situation. Alan Sutton as Morry and John Ferdinand as Fender worked together harmoniously, and their handling of the difficult dialogue and their mannerisms and gestures had been carefully studied. Robson Chamberlin’s part was more straightforward, but was also capably performed. The final play, “The Little Dark Cupboard,” was probably familiar to most members of the audience. On this occasion it was acted with some continuity, until the concluding scene, when it lost force and momentum. The best performance here was given by Barry Ashby, who brought out the humorous relief in Bill’s part with some skill.

After the performance Mr Bernard Dunne discussed the plays and offered some suggestions to actors and producers.—C.E.S.