Interesting Plays Chosen

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30487, 8 July 1964, Page 18

Interesting Plays Chosen

The Elmwood Players last night enhanced their reputation as a group by showing select interesting one-act plays. “Conversation with a Golliwog,” by the Dunedin writer. Alexander Guyan, was first in a programme of three plays. An unusual and, at times, most moving work, it was presented with a good deal of drive and conviction. Gyll Webber, as Canny, the young woman who talks to her golliwog, carried the play with her vivacious, sensitive, and at all times intelligent acting. Supporting her, but not always in complete sympathy with the author, were Chris Joyce, Michael Lynch, Ivan Finlayson, and. as the Golliwog, Brian Cooper. Alex Henderson displayed his usual competence in the production of this' impressive play. Although it ends on a pathetic note, John Mortimer’s “Lunch Hour” came as a bright and witty contrast. Patricia Carr, Peter D. Brown and Andrea Beddie performed at a rattling pace. Production, by Rosamund Heinz, was notable for the movement achieved with an extremely static play. The programme ended on a light note with a farce. “Tricolour Suite,” by Peter S. Preston. Based on the vagaries of French politics,

and produced with just the right degree of froth and gaiety, it was a successful conclusion to an entertaining evening. The multistyle set was ‘highly satisfactory in spite of the extremely small stage. Ted Loftus led a large and fairly able cast and the producer was Hunter Bell.

These three one-act plays will be presented by the Elmwood Players in their theatre in Fulton Avenue tonight and on Thursday and Friday. —P.S.