Repertory Society Presents Three One-act Plays

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 67, 20 March 1936, Page 8

Repertory Society Presents Three One-act Plays

NEW MEMBERS MAKE GOOD IMPRESSION.

An excellent evening’s entertainment was provided by members of tho Manawatu Repertory Society last night when three staged one-act plays wero presented in the Empire hall. The vigorous growth of the society was evidenced by tho very largo attendance of members and friends and a gratifying feature of the evening was the promising work of producers new to Palmerston North audiences and tho very excellent showing of several new players. A happy choice of plays had been made, totally dissimilar, with striking contrast in period, players and plot. As the name would imply, “Tho Spinsters of Lushe, ’ ’ presented a picture of early Victorian gentility and the charming gowns of tho period, tho second play, ‘l Women Do Things Liko That,” being modern in construction, while the final presentation, “Tho House.with tho Twisty Windows,” provided a dramatic conclusion, that brought a spontaneous tribute from the audience, to the players and to Miss Ulu Hancock, .who had supervised the programme. During an interval in the programme, Dr. F. H. McDowall returned thanks on behalf of the president, Mrs M. 11. Oram, for the generous support accorded this new venture of tho society. It was explained that this year the society proposed to intersperse three evenings for one-act plays with the rehearsed readings. This would enable more active members to bo tried out and would also give would-bo producers a chance. Dr. McDowall expressed thanks to the producers of the evening and announced that a full stage production would be given towards the end of April, when Bernard Shaw’s “You Never Can Tell” will be produced by Mr J. W. Davidson. Following were the three plays presented: — “The Spinsters of Lushe,” by Philip Johnson. —Characters: Miss Charlotte Brighto (Mrs Howley), Miss Laetitia Thurlow (Miss M. Pridcaux Pridham), Miss Alicia Pramlcy (Miss D. Wischnewsky), Miss Rosie Pramley (Mrs R. E. Small), Miss Lucy Pemberton (Miss T. Bovis), Phoebe (Miss R. Day). Scene: Miss Charlotte’s drawing-room. Time: About ISI2. Produced by Mrs W. M. Webster. “Women Do Things Like That,” by Olive Conway. —Characters: Parlourmaid (Miss Clara McCulloch), Peter Robbins (Mr T. M. O’Halloran), Sargeson (Mr K. N. Struthers), Janet Robbins (Miss M. Galloway), Mrs Xldred (Mrs L. Bale). Scene: A normal room in a South Kensington house, abnormally decorated with Central African properties. Produced by Miss Muriel Richards. “The House With the Twisty Windows,” by Mary Pakington. —Characters: James Roper (Mr M. H. Oram), Charles Clive (Mr A. do Berry), Lady Pouting (Mrs J. Davidson), Heather Sorrell (Miss K. Richards), Anee Sorrell (Miss Ita Wischnewsky), Derrick Moore (Mr T. M. N. Rodgers), Stepan (Mr Malcolm Driver). Scene: The cellar of a house in Petrograd during the “Red Terror.” Produced by Miss Ulu Hancock. At the conclusion of the programme, Miss Ulu Hancock, as the person responsible for the evening’s entertainment, in a charming speech expressed her thanks for tho spontaneous reception accorded the plays. She voiced the opinion that if all audiences realised their own responsibility towards their own entertainment they would be more responsive, for there was nothing so helpful to an actor as to feel the sympathetic atmosphere that emanated from a really sympathetic audience. Miss Hancock thanked her co-producers, Mrs Webster and Miss Richards, whose efforts had contributed in no small measure to the success of the evening, and who had proved their undoubted ability. Thanks were also due to tho players who had worked nobly and well, particularly those who were making their first appearance; to Mr T. J. Rodgers, who liad stage-managed as well as taking part in one play; to Mr Rabone, property manager; to Mr A. C. Zolirab for lighting effects; to Miss Gwen Gibbs and Mr Davidson for assisting with make-up; to the ladies who had supervised the supper; to those who had lent properties or iu any assisted the productions. In conclusion, Miss Hancock made special mention of the work of Mrs Webster, who was a decided acquisition to tho society, and who had made all the dainty frocks worn in “Tho Spinsters of Lushe,” in addition to arranging her own stage setting and giving advice regarding the costuming of the other two plays. Air Webster had also kindly made and donated for future use sonic of the properties and had assisted off stage. Charming bouquets were presented to each of the producers.