WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

Franklin Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 102, 13 September 1937, Page 8 (Supplement)

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE.

papakura branch. SUCCESSFUL DRAMA FESTIVAL. “The standard of both the acting and play selection is much higher, said Mrs A. C. Terry of Auckland, the adjudicator at the conclusion of the drama festival by the Papakura Women’s Institute last week. Mrs Terry added that it was much higher than any she had judged in other parts and was of a much higher standard than the recent one in Auckland. She congratulated all who were responsible for the conduct of the festival and also the players themselves, the individual work being excellent. “But one thing,” Mrs Terry said, "1 must call attention to, and that is the conditions under which the contestants laboured. The small stage, with no conveniences and only one small narrow exit. It is hardly believeable such would be allowed and how those who were responsible for the changing of the plays worked, I really do not know.” ■ There were 11 entrants and the festival took two nights and one afternoon to carry through. The entries came from Waiuku Institute, Clevedon women’s division. Clevedon juniors, Pukekohe East division. Hunua Institute. llomai-Manurewa Institute, Takanini division. Drury division, East Tamaki division and two from the Papakura Institute. Items were rendered between the plays , by Miss G. Clarke, Miss N. Clarke. Miss J. Wilks. Mrs Potter and Master R. Wilks. Also the recently formed Papakura Institute choir helped to while away the waiting minutes between plays. Mrs Terry in announcing her awards, said she had had experienced great difficulty in separating the first two. but after going through her notes she placed Waiuku, “The Maker of Dreams” first, with Clevedon, “Anticlockwise” second, half a point behind. The following were very highly commended: Drury W.D.F.U. and Papakura W.I. (bracketed). Waiuku produced “The Maker of Dreams” with the following cast: Pierrot (Mrs Campbell), P'ierette (Mrs McDonald), and The Maker of Dreams (Mrs McShane). The piece was charmingly produced and the dressing dainty. “Anti-Clockwise,” which Clevedon entered was a weird dramatic playlet and required a good deal of acting. The cast was: Clara Fitzwalter (Mrs Driver), Emily Jackson (Mrs A. Moncur), Elizabeth Aldringham (Mrs N. J. Sutherland) and Dr. Flora Richmond (Mrs W. R. Bull). The two highly commended plays were: Drury, “Widows,” Mrs Smitli (Mrs Draper), Mrs Pink (Mrs Mason), and Mrs Gobb (Mrs Walker) and Papakura gave “Tangled Skeins,” with the following cast, Fanny Hollis (Miss Keyes), Esther Hollis (Mrs H. C. Baulf), Nurse (Mrs Elliott), Andrew Wright (Mrs McDonald). Mrs Hollis (Mrs Renwick), Meggie, the maid (Miss R. Civil). Street Musician (Miss Berryman) and violinist (Master Tt. Wilks). The other entrants gave. “Making it Pay” (Pukekohe East). “Marriage Has Been Disarranged” (Takanini). “How They Kept Me”. (East Tamaki), “The Bride” (Hunua), “Our Aunt From California” (Papakura), “My Kingdom For A ” (Clevedon juniors), “Nothing But the Truth” (Ho-mai-Manurewa). Mrs Terry awarded, amid loud applause, the award for the best individual acting to Mrs A. Moncur of Clevedon as “Emily Jackson” in “Anticlockwise.” At the close. Mrs V. Houghton, the president of the Papakura Institute, thanked Mrs Terry for her help and presented her with a beautiful bouquet and also one to Mrs If. C. Baulf. who acted as stage manager throughout the festival. Though the hour was late, most of the large audience, stayed while Mrs Terry gave some demonstrations of practical stage work, these were much appreciated and earned for her well-deserved applause.