THE ELMWOOD PLAYERS

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29778, 22 March 1962, Page 11

THE ELMWOOD PLAYERS

Three One-act Plays The Elmwood Players have begun their work for the year with a presentation of oneact plays in their theatre in Fulton avenue. An interesting feature that marks the efforts of this particular group is the inclusion of new actors; and, as a result, there is often a fresh approach to plays that may already be familiar to the audience. The second play in last evening’s programme provides an example of this. “Londonderry Air,” the first play of the evening, is little more than a trifle; but it made an agreeable beginning. In it a talkative pedlar won the heart of a simple ■lrish girl while she was attending to domestic duties in the absence of her mistress. “Londonderry Air” was pleasantly acted, and Sandra McClung, Dorothy Perkins, and Brian Brodie were all at home in their parts. Alan Moore, who had so much to say and do, was not always convincing, and the sound effects did not geatly help him.

“Symphony in Illusion” has already been seen in a Christchurch religious drama festival. Those taking part in this presentation successfully offered many contrasting types of character, but their forcefulness of manner and of delivery sometimes made the contrast more emphatic than artistic.

The third play “The Ass and The Philosophers” was an enjoyablecomedy with a number of lively young players in parts that must have been amusing to play. Murray Sim, Linda Lyttle, and Adrienne Smith certainly caught the spirit of the piece; and they had strong support from the philosophers, acted by Dermot Holland and George Taylor, and from the women, Merle McClung, Renee Hart, and Lilian Charlton. “The Ass and The Philosophers” was produced by Alex Henderson. —-C.E.S.