PAEROA’S SUCCESS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4168, 3 August 1949, Page 5

PAEROA’S SUCCESS

/ DRAMA FESTIVAL

SECOND AND TWO AWARDS MISS JEWELL HILL PRAISED J — With the Paeroa Dramatic Club’s two one-act plays entered in the annual festival of the Waikato area of the British Drama League, interest in the town was very apparent and there was keen appreciation of the dub’s success when awards were made at the con-

clusion of the festival on Saturday I night. That the club had earned second place was gratifying, but that two of the three special awards for individual acting should also go to Paeroa roused

considerable enthusiasm. The awards were made and certificates were presented by Mr W. J. Hampton Reynolds (Auckland president) as follows:— A Grade Hamilton Playbox, “ The Sixth Hour.” Produced by David Reid. 80 points 1 Paeroa Dramatic Club, “ That’s Murder.” Produced by Peter Mann. 79 points 2 Best Individual Performances Certificates for best individual characterisations were awarded to Ngaire Healy, College Players, for her intense portrayal of Jeanne Marsan in “ Liberation,” Jewell Hill, Paeroa Dramatic Club, for her fine comedy

work as Emmiline in “ That’s Murder,’? Stanley Julian, Paeroa,club, for his role as the Gamekeeper in “ Flash Back—»a Sequel to Tobruk.” Comedy-drama was chosen by the Paeroa Dramatic Club team which appeared in Lionel Shave’s “That’s Murder,” and gained second place, The cast comprised Emmiline, Jewell Hill; Dec.-Sergt. Digby, Peter Mann; Dec. Gallaghan, Grey Townshend; Mrs John Barcombe, Mary McKenzie; Mary Ashtonbury, Nell Harris. The scene was the Living Room of John Barcombe’s flat, one evening. Mi* P. Mann produced. “ This highly diverting comedydrama was presented in a manner which at times had a touch of genius, and wasn’t Emmiline (the audience’s applause showed that she certainly ‘ was ’) magnificent,” commented the adjudicator. With her ‘ dead pan ’ expression and a remarkably sustained manner of speech she got every ounce out qf her lines, with splendid voice inflections. The other members of the cast played well, and could have ranted even more than they did to maintain the touches of genius more fully. It was a splendid piece of acting, ’ concluded Miss Mackenzie. Evenness of Team

“ Flash Back—A Sequel to Tobruk ” by Mikhail Aklom, also presented by the Paeroa Dramatic Club, was well received and awarded 78 points. It had the following cast: Mabel (Henry’s wife), Jean Thorp; Sally (his sister), Gytha Wild; Jim Gower (molecatcher), Robert Morrison; Will Perkins (gamekeeper), Stanley Julian; Henry Martin (estate clerk), Rex Shearer. The scene was the living room of Henry Martin’s cottage; Mr H. R. Thorp produced.

This play was very good because of the evenness of the team —that important factor in any team effort—with no weak characters. The cues, if anything, ‘ were taken a little too sharply, and the speech a trifle fast, said the adjudicator. A most essential part in any play, a strong curtain, was well achieved and made a decisive end to the tragedy leaving the audience to work out the ultimate end. The stage set was good and the lighting adequate.

“ The team is to be eongratolhtat|| a very satisfying performance,” eluded Miss MaeKenzie. T 1