No Outstanding Play In Drama League Festival

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30191, 24 July 1963, Page 17

No Outstanding Play In Drama League Festival

No one play was outstanding among the four that were presented in the Repertory Theatre last night, the third night of the British Drama League Festival. All the plays were interesting, but in no case were the possibilities fully developed. Strath G. McKnight produced his own play “My Life to Live. ’ for the Theatre Arts Guild. American gangsterdom in the twenties is a strange theme for a New Zealand playwright and this cast had difficulty in giving credibility to the play. The exposition is

too drawn-out. and the whole production lacked pace But the atmosphere of the speakeasy was achieved with some realistic touches. George Taylor had a good presence as “Brans” McGuire, but he was inclined to be too ponderous. Gregory Kane was a forceful gangster, and, again, looked well in his part. The comic relief provided by the two henchmen was ably handled by J Bijleveld and Robert Naysmith Others in the cast were Reg. Lamb, Malcolm Campbell, Doris Blyth, Evelyn Abbott and Bert Brickie, with Stella Naysmith. Athlee Lamb and Cliff Williams in walk-on parts.

“Suspicion.” by Victor Lucas, produced for the Hay’s Drama Group by Edwin Mitchell is a slick and sophisticated thriller. Perhaps it was a little too slick and sophisticated for these young players, who gave the impression of not clearly understanding some of their lines. Best performance was given by Elizabeth Bromley who displayed poise and mastery of her pa:t Denise Cunningham had the right degree of hardness John Jefferies did well in the important first few minutes, but his later hysteria was decidedly forced. lan Read made a gallant effort at a very wordy part, but his restless movements should have been curbed by the producer.

Sentiment, combined with an all-too-obvious denoument. are not likely to result in a first-rate play. This is true of “The Lovely Miracle." by Philip Johnson, the choice of the Christchurch Teachers’ College. Marguerite Boyd in the role of the starry-eyed bride, spoke well and moved with grace in spite of most inappropriate footwear. Marlene Taylor’s was a good attempt at a character part

Olive Sandry’s playing of a small part was lively, while Brian Verey managed some good moments. The producer was Bernard Dunne.

The Irish National Society Drama Group chose domestic comedy based on misunderstanding for its entry. The play, “The Proposal,” by James Filgate, was produced by Paul McErlain, who also took the part of the talkative, whisky-drinking family retainer. He drew from this part the maximum amount of comedy, and his accent was good. Barney Scullon was reasonably assured and also attempted an accent. Unfortunately the younger players. Barbara Elwood and Terence Brady, did not pay the same attention to the sounds they were making, and their harsh inflections did not hint at Ireland and marred performances which had some good qualities in other respects. The festival continues tonight with a further four plays.