LITTLE PLAYS FROM MAORI LEGEND

Evening Star, Issue 21636, 3 February 1934, Page 22

LITTLE PLAYS FROM MAORI LEGEND

To meet tlie needs of primary schools which make acting one of their methods of education, Miss Janet M'Leod, M.A., has written a little book of six small plays based on Maori legend. Miss M'Leod is lecturer in English at the Christchurch Training College; she was a graduate of Otago University. An introduction explains that literary merit has not been an object; no one will find fault, however, with the literary quality of these small dramas, written in prose, with occasional lyrics, unless it be with a trick which the author sometimes falls into of mixing her “ thons ” and “ yous " after the manner of Scott. The plays are very simple and natural ; they have real dramatic possibilities and they include a good deal of knowledge of Maori manners and customs. Illustrations and notes on staging, costume, etc., are given by Mr Leslie Lockerbie and notes on “ make-up ” by Mr W. -I. A. Brittendeu. The book should be both popular and useful. Printed at the Ca.xton Club Press, Christchurch.