W.E.A. DRAMA CLASS

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 198, 19 May 1936, Page 3

W.E.A. DRAMA CLASS

At last week’s meeting of the W.E.A. Drama Class at Ngaio, which was held in the Methodist Schoolroom, the tutor, Miss Catherine Keddell. F.T.C.L. (EJoc.), dealt with early English drama. After referring to ancient pagan ritual, and the survival of these in simple forms of drama, such ns the folk-dance and song, and in many games still played by children, the lecturer described the place.of the Church in early and medieval tames, the manner in which drama was Introduced into the church by the clergy—the first actors of England—and their aim m doing so. Tlie gradual progression of drama was explained, also the method of producing plays, and the work of the powerful merchant trade guilds in helping this progress. References to flic great revival of religious drama in England, and the work of some enthusiasts in its service, concluded the lecture, which was illustrated by a number of interesting pictures.

The play-reading circle formed in connection with the class read "The Younger Generation,’’ by Stanley Houghton, at its last meeting, and this week some modern one-act plays modelled on the lines of the old morality plays and medieval farces will be read.