ONE-ACT PLAYS

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 271, 12 August 1938, Page 2

ONE-ACT PLAYS

British Drama League Festival Continues

Four one-act plays were presented in the Concert Chamber of the Wellington Town Hall last night, the second night of the seventh annual festival of community drama (Wellington area), held under the auspices of the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League. A fairly large audience enjoyed both the plays and the illuminating comments of the adjudicator, Professor James Shelley. “Lights Out,” by Walter Hudd, presented by The Query Players; producer, A. Flett. The production of this play, said Professor Shelley, suffered from the usual faults —the speech was too even and the action too level. He believed he had said the same of every play he had judged since drama festivals began.. The judgment of speed was the most important thing in production; in this ease the pace was too even to develop the necessary nervous tension. The suggestion of ghostliness was not present in the grouping of the characters, who were scattered all over the stage. Colin (Mr, P. Whitchurch) had the makings of a good actor, but had not enough control over his actions. “Don’t over-act, but let your gestures be carefully thought . out and definite;’’ Professor Shelley advised. On the whole it was a good attempt. “Women at War,” by Edward Percy, presented by the Elizabeth McCombs Memorial Clubcß producer, Mrs. M. Dowse. This play xvas very frequently done, especially by women, but was difficult to act, because it contained so little movement, Professor Shelley said. The cast had not observed carefully enough just how women acted when sitting-sew-ing. “Do something absolutely realistic,' he advised. “There is no excuse for fiddling about with little bits of properties.” Little things, lacking realism, distracted attention. He congratulated the players on the cafe taken in dressing the stage and thinking out the characters. “Four Into Seven—Won't Go,” by Vai Gielgud and Stephen Hall-King, presented by The Zathenians; producer, Mies Zara Maiioy. Again, except for that of Isabel (Miss Molly Bradstock), the speech of the players was too even, said Professor Shelley. She was right in character and her interpretations were mostly accurate. The others used a number of meaningless movements. The evenness of pace turned what should have been a tragic situation into a backyard squabble. Until players were so familiar with the words and actions that they did not have to think about them they could not use them properly for the purpose of acting, Professor Shelley said. “A Girl For the Hall,” by Margery Nugent, presented by The Pioneer Club Drama Circle; producer, Anne Lane. This play was very well received. The atmosphere was good, and everything had been carefully studied, said Professor Shelley. When the players had nothing to do they didn't try to do anything. They acted in an easy and natural manner. One or two details could have been unproved, and in general the presentation needed tightening up: the.faults, however, were slight, and a little more fan iliarity with the acting of the play would have remedied them. The players. Professor Shelley pointed out. had had a good deal of experience.