BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28981, 24 August 1959, Page 7

BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE

Phoenix Theatre's Success

The Phoenix Theatre was again successful with “A View from the Bridge” at the divisional annual festival of the British Drama League held at the St. James Theatre on Saturday evening. There were four groups of finalists, including the Catholic Drama Club from North Canterbury, the Herbert Drama Group (North Otago), and the Risingholme Drama Group, in addition to the Phoenix Theatre.

The festival was opened by the Mayor of Christchurch, Mr G. Manning, who spoke of the work of the British Drama League in enriching the cultural life of the community. He welcomed the visiting teams and the judge for the present festival, Mrs Nora Ratcliff. Both “A View from the Bridge” and the Risingholme Drama Group’s “Family Album” have been seen recently in Christchurch. “A View from the Bridge” was played with even greater effect; but “Family Album” lacked some of the spirit that marked the earlier performance. Coming at the end of a long programme—the festival ended shortly after midnight—this was hardly to be wondered at. Mrs Ratcliff praised the setting and the power of the acting in the Phoenix Theatre play. The note of compassion had been caught by the producer. She singled out the work of Margaret Osborne, Graeme MacNaeil, Douglas Nottage and Hector Smith, and noted several original touches which added to the strength of the Play. Turning to “The Boy with a Cart,” as presented by the Catholic Drama Club, the judge remarked oh the costuming and properties. The sincerity of Cuthman’s nature was brought out by J. Clarke, whose voice suited the part and was a pleasure to hear. Cuthman’s mother, too, was well acted by A. Clarke, although at first she seemed too young for the role. Mrs Ratcliff wondered if this player’s speech was not more modern than medieval in its inflections. The chorus work was good; but it might have been improved, if long phrases had been used, as the unit of speech, instead of rather short ones. The Herbert Drama Group offered one of James Bridie’s fantastic comedies, “A Change for the Worse,” and here the judge found much to please her. The spirit of the play was very cleverly caught by the cast, although the pace was slow towards the end. Joan ' Crawford and Margaret Trotter gave pleasantly contrasting performances, and Dulcie Budge realised the comedy in the role of St. Eloi.

In “Family Album” the youth of some of the players presented difficulties; but Mrs Ratcliff was impressed by the variety of the grouping and by the attractiveness of the voices of these players. At the end of the programme the Dominion president of the league, Mr D. S. Campbell, of Wellington, anounced Mrs Ratcliff’s decision, and certificates were presented by the Mayor to the producers of teams taking part. Miss Angela McKee received the, winning award on behalf of Mr Alan de Malmanche of the Phoenix Theatre. The position now is that the Phoenix Theatre players will appear in “A View from the Bridge” at the Wellington Opera House on September 12, to compete for the scroll of honour at the national finals festival. —C.E.S.