First Festival Of N.Z. Plays Held At Kaikoura

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31169, 20 September 1966, Page 16

First Festival Of N.Z. Plays Held At Kaikoura

The first of a series of five drama festivals for New Zealand authors was held in Kaikoura recently with the playwrights in the audience. The festivals are unusual in that the plays are being performed for the first time, having been specially written for the festivals.

The plays were presented on the Friday evening, and the rest of the week-end was devoted to a drama workshop. The festivals are being held on a regional basis. Three one-act plays were performed by teams from Christchurch, Picton and Kaikoura.

Miss Doreen Woodcock, of England, who is on a national tour organised by the British Drama League, with assistance from the Queen Elizabeth 11 Arts Council, adjudicated the plays. In her opening remarks she said, the festivals had great value in encouraging the writ?ing and production of New Zealand plays. “Drama holds the age and place in which it was written,” she said.

"Playmates,” by Eve Hughes, was presented by the Christchurch Little Theatre, and produced by Alex Aitchison. This was a light and amusing comedy with a double climax. Miss Woodcock complimented the group on the setting, the swiftness and timing, and the moves, but she felt the play dropped badly towards the end. Those taking part were Yvonne Cook, Esme Howard, Mary Hurd, Denzil Downs, Bill Derrett and Percy Moore, with Pam Derrett as prompt. The stage managers were H. F. Crow, L. Bowring, G. Scott, Mrs G. Grey and Beth Harris. "Still Grows the Tawny Weed," by Joan Calder, of Motueka, was presented by Kaikoura. The theme was the problem of lung cancer and there were several interwoven plots. Miss Woodcock said that the play was a difficult one to produce and she felt that the mam points needed more emphasis by better planning and a quicker tempo. The audience showed its appreciation of the play by prolonged applause.

Those taking part were Nlra Stove, John Stirling, Audrey Ford, Michael Allison and Tom Plane. Frances Blunt produced the play and Phyllis Rabone was prompt. “Mai de Marriage,’* by Joan Lyon, was performed by the Picton Drama Club. Miss Woodcock said this was a very bright play, needing more colour in the costumes and set. It was the story of a girl who was still uncertain whom she loves on her wedding morning. The production was too level in voice and tone. Those taking part were Janice Cantwell, Joyce Greenfield, Pat Simmons, Joy Elsmore and Lynn Hubbard, with Jessie Herd as prompt. More than 40 persons attend-

ed the workshop during the week-end. Those taking part considered this a stimulating experience, much benefit being derived from the ability and knowledge of Miss Woodcock. Miss Woodcock not only analysed the plays from the viewpoints of script, production and acting, but also gave talks on play-writing and the history of mime.