British Drama League Divisional Finals

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31767, 26 August 1968, Page 14

British Drama League Divisional Finals

The second night of the two-night divisional finale of the British Drama League's one-act play festival |n the Repertory Theatre. The Judge waa Miss Naney Russell, of Hawore.

A large schoolgirl east from Craighead School shewed clearly that they knew exactly what the Capek brothers wanted to satirise in “And So Ad WMum ” The symbolic aptheap with its inhuman values was all too human, and the ridiculous sacrifice of Individuals to the empty glory of progress, production, or war was well pointed by an excellent team.

The chgrwter* could, however, have been m*4« e|o«r to their 1968 prototypes, gaining in impact what might be |o*t in comedy. As it was, we laughed too much to be moved sufficiently.

Noellne smith, Juliet Palmer end Deborah H*rrop had the leading roles and were a

credit to themselves end their producer. Olive Morgan. The play was stylishly staged. The Westport Playeni, representing the Buller,West, land area, provided variety with a bizarre thriller, “The Lovely Silence.” Acted with a pleasantly relaxed, natural *ty)e, the script nevertheless forced the players into moments when the melodrama became a little laughable. As one character says 'Thing* don’t happen like this.” The stage wa* too big for the claustrophobic atmosphere needed. If a woman js to be frightened to death in a hotel bedroom by her husband's business rival, then we need alj the atmosphere we CBD get. David Rapson looked Ilk* Orson Welles playing Alfred Hitchcock, and sounded superbly sinister. John Hervey and Maureen Hagerty, as the husband and wife, both showed abllityzbut were, perhaps, * little low-key In their projection. Aywlli Fraser's production mad* • dlv«rt|ng but inconsequential entertainment, Elmwood Flayers’ “Th* Death of Bessie smith” wa* M c)a» of jt* own. starting with a clever cameo study of a washed-up dd men by the producer. Brian DeavplJ, th* produetfop builds up fascinating characterisations which all Illuminate aspects of the colour problem a* it was in America in the 1930*. Mervyn Glue’s portrayal of a Negro has developed impressively since the play'* first performance at the Elmwood Playhouse. Excellent nwke<M and use ef, semifalsetto St times, contribute, to this. A cigar might help break up bis first long monologue. Richard Gate* could look more bleached, more ln» batwaen, but his arrogance and humility were well Bum Wlnstapley was again successful In establishing th* Mtter, cruel veneer while yavealing the taeeeurlty, th* m.’&xjrds Rfohart Manning, wiror* warmth and idealism earn* production |p setting, suflM and actipg and fufly doerro* its place |p th* final at Ti> maru on September 8 and 7. -WP.B.S.