Elmwood Play Reaches Drama League Finals

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31144, 22 August 1966, Page 14

Elmwood Play Reaches Drama League Finals

“Salome,” by Oscar Wilde, presented by the Elmwood Players and produced by Alex Henderson, has been included among the six plays to contest the national finals of the British Drama League’s festival of one-act plays in Christchurch on September 2 and 3. Two of the plays in the final are from the Te Aroha Dramatic Society, which has entered “Next Door,” by T. McKinney, and “The Two Executioners,” by Fernando Arribul.

The other plays in the final will be “A Resounding Tinkle,” by N. F. Simpson, presented by the Hawera Repertory Society: “Jacques

Or Obedience,” by lonesco, presented by the Palmerston North Little Theatre Society; and “A Phoenix Too Frequent,” by Christopher Fry, presented by the Raumati South Drama Group.

“Salome” also won the Ashburton divisional final of the league’s festival which ended in Ashburton on Saturday evening. “The Lesson,” presented by the Roman Catholic Drama Club, of Timaru, and “The Faithful Widow Of Ephesus,” presented by the Tinwald Drama Club, were runners-up. Miss Doreen Woodcock, of England, judge of the divisional finals, said the production of “Salome” was very effective. It was a “thoroughly enjoyable” performance. “The Insect Play,” presented by the Studio Players of Otago, was “a mixture of good and not so good acting. There were several meaningless moves in the play, although diction and interpretation were very good,” Miss Woodcock said. The Otago Repertory Society’s “The Tinker’s Wedding” was very well received. It is a light-hearted Irish comedy, which delighted the audience. “There were some weak moments in this play, caused mainly by a lack of cohesion, but the setting was very vividly Irish,” the judge said. The producer was Ruby Hannan Three plays were presented by groups from Timaru. Rangiora and Ashburton on the first night of the divisional finals.' Miss Woodcock said that the set and costumes of “The Lesson” were right for this type of play, which made a study of mankind. She thought the feeling and physical movement in the play lacked co-ordination at times, but that the speed of the presentation was excellent. “Pity My Betrayer,” produced by Jean Crow, was presented by the Rangiora Dramatic Society. Miss Woodcock said the play had some very good moments as well as some very weak ones. The players needed to be more natural. “Faithful Widow Of Ephesus,” produced by Bruee Ching, gained a lot of laughs and applause from the capacity audience. “I have seen this play many times and this would be one of Hie few times I have seen it produced as a charade,” said Miss Woodcock.