DRAMA LEAGUE FESTIVAL

Evening Star, Issue 23324, 21 July 1939, Page 15

DRAMA LEAGUE FESTIVAL

SECOND NIGHT'S OFFERINGS ONE HEW ZEALAND PLAY PRESENTED The sixth annual festival of ono-acfc plays staged by the Otago area of tbo British Drama League was continued last night in the Concert Chamber, when a large audience witnessed four plays entered for competition, these consisting of two A grade and two B grade entries. One of the former was a New Zealand play, the only one set down for this festival. Satisfactory variety was contained in the four presentations, which, however, were all of a dramatic nature, comedy not being favoured last night. Commendable effects wore obtained in every instance by tbo settings. At the conclusion of oacli play the judge (Miss Ngaio Marsh) discussed the play and its merits from points of view of action, acting, casting, suitability, etc., and delivered herself of much comprehensive constructive'criticism.'

The first of the four plays was a B grade entry, presented by the W.E.A. Drama Class, and, in brief, concerned the fall from a high moral standing of a young sailor who came under the spell of a girl attached to a drinking saloon in a tropical port. The title of the play, ‘ Prologue to the Long Shadow’ (Philip Johnson), seemed to have little bearing on the story unfolded, but this was cleared when the judge explained that in reality the play was really a prologue to a three-act play, and the action contained in that prologue really influenced the whole play. Consequently the ethics of the prologue later took on a different aspect, and any suggestion of oifenco was removed.

‘ Marry Go Round ’ was tho title of the second play, the work of Sydney Box. This was presented l by the Admiralty Players as an A grade entry, with a cast of throe women, and four or five background figures. This was a difficult play in which thoughts were expressed as if being spoken. Tho theme concerned two womeii friends who mot at a country dance after a long lapse of years, and 1 they relived tho past, bringing into their story tho third woman. Their early hopes and desires were revealed, together with what life gave as each followed her star. Tho play demanded continual changes of mood' as well as sharp demarcation of time to prevent muddling,' the judge remarked. Now Zealand was the setting of the third play, ‘ Garments of Red,’ by W. Ganderton. Action in the piece, which was presented by the Dunedin Players, took place in the North Island l just after the termination of the Maori Wars in 1869, when members of the British forces were seeking to capture Mera Tairoa, a Maori wiio was not disposed to accept conditions of peace. This A grade entry was recently presented in His Majesty’s Theatre as a contribution to Rowcna Jackson’s benefit concert.

Tho final play was a B grade entry, W. W. Jacobs’s ‘ The Monkey’s Paw,’ staged by the University Dramatic Society. This play, which brings in the supernatural, is well known, and is a favourite with amateur bodies, andi one which, so the judge intimated, offers excellent scope for any beginners. It was presented in three scenes. To-night’s plays will be restricted to three entered for competition— ‘ The Murder Scream,’ by Mikhail Aklom (University Dramatic Society; A grade); ‘ World Without Men,’ by Philip Johnson (St, Hilda’s Dramatic Club; B grade) ; 1 Miss Marlow at Play,’ by A. A. Milne (Balclutha Amateur Dramatic Club; B grade). As an entertainment only, the Playbox Club will render ' Man in the Bowler Hat,’ by A. A; Milne, with a cast including Loo Manning, Edith Clare. Tom Tarrant. Doreen Harvey, Glen Herbert. Colin Martin, and A. C. Stephens.

The festival will be concluded to-mor-row night, when winners will be announced and 1 trophies presented.