Hawarden First In C.W.I. Area Drama Festival

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31097, 28 June 1966, Page 24

Hawarden First In C.W.I. Area Drama Festival

A “well thought out” and “extremely well done” performance by a Hawarden group gained first place at a Canterbury area C.W.I. drama festival at Shirley Boys’ High School recently. A South Brighton entry was second and Hunter third. These three entries had won their way to the area contest from federation competitions with Hawarden representing North Canterbury; South Brighton, Canterbury; and Hunter, Waimate. From 12 area festivals in the South Island two groups will be chosen to compete in a New Zealand final with two North Island entries at Wellington on July 20. The judge of the South Island section (Mr A. Wilson), a British actor and producer who is a tutor for the New Zealand Drama Council, still has seven area festivals to judge and expects to announce the two South Island representatives for the national contest soon. Winning Play Describing the winning Hawarden entry, “The Time Factor,” by Jean Lawrence, and produced by Bob McVie, as a New Zealand play of some significance, Mr Wilson said

that the performance was a good production, which had been given much thought Occasionally the cues and responses had been too pat. The set was good. Three actors to gain special commendation were Barbara McEwan as the buyer, Marion Hood as the woman, and Vaimai Chudley, as the delegate. The South Brighton entry, “A Question of Colour,” by Sam Bale, and produced by Rene Pittman, was probably the easiest of the plays to produce. said Mr Wilson. It portrayed people that “we all know” and for that reason the actors were too “naturalistic.” The grouping of the characters was the best, but a bit of the climax had been missed. At times the words had become speeches. Comedy Difficult The third place entry by Hunter, the comedy “Even Less Legal,” by lan S. Black, and produced by Ngarita Meehan, was by far the most difficult play to present, said Mr Wilson. This play had too slow a pace. There had been also a lack of contrast and variation of voice and speed. This was no disgrace, being a common fault.