WOMEN’S INSTITUTES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 102, 31 March 1936, Page 12

WOMEN’S INSTITUTES.

DRAMA COMPETITION. A very successful drama competition organised by file Kotahitanga of Women’s Institutes was heldj in the Town Hall, Sanson, on Saturday. Sessions were held in the afternoon and! evening and the spacious hall was packed to capacity. There were six institutes competing, and Mr A: C. Zohrab acted at- adjudicator. Before the commencement of the plays, Mrs A. K. Drew (president of the Sanson Institute) extended a welcome to the visitors and hoped they would have a successful and enjoyable time. She then introduced to the audience Mr Zohrab, of Palmerston North, who had kindly consented to act as judge. She apologised on behalf of the Rongotea Institute, who were unable to compete on account of sickness. The Marton Junction and 'Halcombo Institutes then presented thgir plays and they wore followed in the evening by the Stan--\vay, Ohakea, Rangiotu and Sanson Institutes. At the completion of each play, Mr Zohrab criticised the actors j and _ the production and many useful suggestions were given. _ . ... j The competition was won] by the Rnngiotu Institute, who presented the tragedy “Men for Pieces.” The various- characters were portrayed by the fallowing: Mrs Lane (Mrs S. Pearce)., SamjGoulding (Mr S. Pearce), Mrs Dobson (Mrs E. Russell) and Mrs Gotilding (Miss M. Feist). The producer was Miss L. Thompson. Mi* Zohrab said that the winning pjay showed evidence of sound production. The general atmosphere was well brought out and the quieter part, of the beginning was well contrasted with the finale.. The actors showed distinct ability and carried their audience with them. . The Sanson Institute were placed second and their contribution was a bright period plav called ’’Little Glass Houses. The parts were played by . the following:— Madame Rossingnol (Miss R. Dwyer), Mrs Orpington (Mrs J. Bowater . Mrs Canonwav (Mrs A. Adams), Lad. Tithermgton (Miss L. Gedve) and Jane trpington (Miss G Adams). The plav. was produced by Miss M. MacFarlane. Mr Zilirab, in summing up this performance, said that the general effect was very goal. The actors gave good individual perfo -mancos, Miss Dwver giving an outstanding interpretationof her part. The dialogue lacked a little in variation. There was not much between this plav and the winning me. The Halcnmbe Institute, who presented the plav “Sinking,’ wen placed third. Characters wore played by the following. -Miss Mildred Hallet (Mr, M. Stewart , Miss Penelope Hallet (Mrs D. Managh), Maid (Miss Thelma Miles), Mrs Bliss (Mrs Schaener) find Mis 6 Louisa Mungioid (Miss R. Dudding). Mr Zohrab made favourable comment on this play also, and said it was- not far behind the two winnincr ones. j, , «, The Marton Junction, Olujkea, and Stanway Institutes also cpmpjtcd and Mr Zohrab said that all. did deed work and had given much time to preparation, but they lacked experience. j At the conclusion of tliq evening, -) A K Drew thanked Mr Zohrab for giving his time and said it wjs much appreciated. She hoped all weid satisfied with his placings. Mrs Drew also thanked Mrs Scott, who had given a trophy for the best individual performance. Tint Had been won bv Miss Dwver, and Mrs Drew said that all would agree that Miss Divyer had given n verv fine performance. -Ylis Grew men presented Mies Dwyer with |tbo trophy and congratulated her. In conclusion, she thanked all who had worked so willingly to make the competition such a < success. Soorial thanks were due to Messrs D. ■ 5; t Si. win awfca) on behalf of the visitors, expressed thanks to the hostess institute (Sanson) for the welcome given.