DRAMA FESTIVAL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 24, 28 July 1944, Page 7

DRAMA FESTIVAL

FOUR MORE PLAYS

A large audience attended the second session of one-act plays in the Wellington area of the British Drama League festival in the Jown. Hall Concert Chamber last night. Four more entries were presented. Th» Victoria University College Drama Club played John Masciield's "The Locked Cheat, produced by Nada Martin. The cast was: Vigdis (Uasia Goodman), Tliord Denis Hartley , Thorolf (F.rancis Walker), Ingiakl (Derek Uose), Krik (R. Twaddle). ■ Mrs Craig Mackenzie, the judge, commented on the novel line taken by the producer in presenting the play on comedy lines when it could also have been interpreted as a strongly dramatic piece. The main'fault of the players, was in grouping, she said, and one player hada bad fault in not making herself audible in the earlier stages. The Daphne Violich players, under the direc'ion of Daphne Violich, produced "The Waxen Man " uy Mary Reynolds, with the following 'cast- Alison (Daphne Violich), Joe (Robert Cheyne), Coastguard (T. J. Martin). . l'iio adjudicator reserved her comment on this play as it was to be played later by another group. "The Lovely Miracle," by Philip Johnson, was produced by Rosina Bligh for the followin" members of the Peter Pan Players: The. Mother (Alison 15. Smith), the Daughter (Dorothy Miller), the Neighbour (Edith Chambers), the Young Man (M. S. Butterton). The players failed to make' the most of their opportunities, said Mrs. Mackenzie, by ■.umier-acting their parts. The voices were clear and pleasant. Noel Coward's "Hands Across the Sea' was played 'by the Hutt Valley High School Old Pupils' Dramatic Club and produced by Joan A. Cowie. The cast was as follows: Lady Maureen Gilpin (Gwenrta Heyes), Commander Peter Gilpin. It.N. (Harry Wcstbury),' Hon. Clare Weilderburn (Until Andrews) ,■ Major (Josling Hogic (John Stanton), Lieutenant-Comman-der Alistair Corbett, 11. N. (Peter Carter), Mr. Wadlmrst (Bruce Ferguson), Mrs. Wadlwrst (Joyce Hammond), Mr. ISurnham (Bob Fisher), the Maid (Maureen Clegg). The players had made a fair job. of their difficult task in representing the sophistocated characters of the play, said Mrs. Mackenzie. Their main fault was in timing after humorous sequences so that the succeeding lines were spoken through the laughter of.the audience.