DUNEDIN REPERTORY SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 22379, 1 July 1936, Page 15

DUNEDIN REPERTORY SOCIETY

SOCIAL EVENING The Concert Chamber was'well filled on Monday evening, when the Dunedin Repertory Society held its June social evening. Autumn flowers and foliage with bright berries were used to decorate the stage and the small tables which were dotted about the hall. Mr A. G. Smith made a few preliminary announcements, referring to the society’s coming production of C. L. Antony’s fascinating play, ‘ Autumn Crocus,’ which is to be produced in His Majesy’s Theatre from Friday, July 10, to Tuesday, July 14, and asking the members as far as possible to attend on the first night. He also mentioned the British Drama League festival on July 16 to 19, and the fact that the Repertory Society was entering three plays for it. The president (Mrs Richard Hudson) then came before the curtain., and after thanking members for again do-

ing her the honour of electing her as their president, spoke of the excellence of Mr Douglas Dali’s drama classes and of the good work being done by the Social Committee under Mrs K. T. Mollcr. She then introduced the guests of , the evening. Misses .Joan and Betty Rayner, “_two distinguished visitors 'to Dunedin.” M ss .Joan Raynor. at the invitation of Mrs Hudson, described some, of the repertory theatres she and her sister had played in in England, and mentioned particularly the Arts Theatre in London, the Birmingham Repertory, and the Madamarkat Theatre in Norwich. Her speech was short and refreshing and typical of her skill as a public speaker. A three-act play, ‘ Yellow Sands,’ hy Eden Phiipotts, was then introduced by Mr Douglas Dali, with the following cast; —Jennifer Varwell, Mrs Wakefield Holmes: Richard Varwell. Ernest Griffen; Arthur Varwell, Desmond Greenslade ; Mary Varwell, Mrs M. O’Sullivan ; Joe Varwell, Maurice James; Thomas Major, Frank Lanyon ; Emma Major, Isabel Seelye; Lydia Blake, Joyce Messept; Minnie Masters, Flo Lennox; Nellie Masters, Jean Lennox; and Mr Barswell, W. R. Brugh. The play was read with a certain amount of acting introduced, and was at times rather apt to drag. The dressing was good and helped considerably. to carry the play through. In this respect the honours must go to Mrs Wakefield Holmes as Jennifer Varwell, who gave a most artistic performance. As Mary Varwell, Mrs M. O’Sullivan gave an excellent character study, her facial expressions being particularly good. Misses Elo and dean Lennox, too, added greatly to the humour of the play by their presentation of two elderly spinster sisters; their dressing and make-up were splendid. Maurice James, who is a comparatively new performer, gave a good l interpretation of the character of Joe Varwell, and was well supported in an unusual love-making scene by Joyce Messent. The play abounds in humorous situations which the audience seemed to thoroughly enjoy. Supper was served in a most businesslike manner by the Social Committee, under the direction of Mrs E. T. Mollcr. and in a very short space of time tlig floor was cleared for the hour’s dancing which followed. BOILED PODDING HINT. When next making a, boiled pudding in a basin leave off both paper and cloth. Simply put pudding in a greased basin, place basin in a saucepan of boiling water with the lid on. The pudding rises higher than when covered, and turns out as light as a feather. There is no trouble of hunting for string, etc.