Festival of Community Drama At Opera House

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 189, 12 August 1936, Page 6

Festival of Community Drama At Opera House

INTERESTING SELECTION ON OPENING NIGHT

Tho third annual festival of drama of tho Manawatu area of the British Drama League (New Zealand branch) opened in the Opera House last evening when there was a gratifying attendance. Six plays were presented, providing excellent variety in period and theme to hold the attention of tho audience throughout a long programme. The adjudicator, Miss Elizabeth Loo, tutor to tho British Drama League (N.Z.), was introduced to tho audience by.Mr, G. G. Priest, chairman of the Manawatu area council, who stated that Miss Loo was well qualified to fill such a position after her experience at the Central School of Dramatic Art (London) and Hull Repertory Theatre. At the outset Miss Loo stressed the fact that her comments at the conclusion of the evening would be quito impersonal and that her desire was to criticise from the acting point of view, to be helpful and correct faults where necessary, and to be constructive. Miss Loe’s summing up at the conclusion of the programme was a feature of the evening. Valuable assistance was rendered by Mr. J. VV. Davidson as stage manager, also by Messrs J. P. McDavitt, E. Ellison, E. Rees as ushers, ana Mr. S. T. Bristow at the box offico. Following were tho teams entered last evening:— Manawatu County Club, “Ladies Iu Waiting” (Wendy St. John Maule). Cast: Miss N. Woodhouse (a visitor), Mrs. A. A. Langley (a dark visitor), Mrs. Brent (a nurse), Mrs. C. A. Small (other woman), Mrs. John Murray (a sister), Mrs. G. G. Priest (a woman), Miss E. Warren (a garrulous visitor). Producer, Mrs. S. T. Bristow. Action takes placo in the waiting room of a London hospital. Y.W.C.A. Lyceum Club, “The Visiou at the Inn” (John and Susan Buchan). Cast: Miss Lilah Elston (a tiring woman), Miss Betty Baillie (tho hostess of tho Ane Raye), Miss Eileen Anderson (Catherine do Beaumanoir), Mr. G. W. Bate (Guy de Laval), Miss Mary Baillie (Joan of Arc). Producer, Miss M. rrideaux-Pridham.

Scene, a room in the hostel of the Ane Raye. Time, 1429-1431. Foxton Women’s Institute, “Lovely Miracle” (Phillip Johnston). Cast: Mrs. Edwards (mother), Mrs. Barron (neighbour), Miss J. Barron (daughter), Mr. C.. Watkins (son). Producer, Mrs. Barron. Tho living room of a humble co'ttage in the English countryside. Littlo Theatre Society, “Count Albany” (Donald Carswell). Cast: Mr. Ronald Abraham (Cardinal Henry, Duko of York), Mr. Neville Turnbull (Father Macintosh), Mr. D. C. Pryor (Charles Edward Stewart, Count Albany and Prince of Scotland), Mrs. V. Harman (Clementine W'alkinshaw), Mr. H. Harman (gentleman of the court

and servant). Producer, Mrs. S. T. Bristow. Scene: In Cardinal York’s palace study in Caucelleria on the evening of January 1, 1760. The Unnamed Society, “Villa For Sale” (Sacha Guitry). Cast: Mrs. Linda Bennett (Juliette), Miss M. Penketh (tho maid), Miss Thora Bovis (Jeanne), Mr. Graham Driver (Gaston), Miss B. Turner (Mrs. Al. Smith). Producer, Mrs. Linda Bennett. Milson Women’s Institute, “Jane Wogan.” Cast: Mrs. Renwick (Martha), Mrs. Olds (Mary Childs), Mrs. F. Murphy (Jane Wogan), Miss Prentice (Lcttice League), Mr. D. Rabone (John Wogan). Producer, Miss U. Hancock. Scene: A room in a farm labourer's cottage. To-night’s programme includes the following plays:—“Smoke Screens” (High School Old Girls’ Association), “20th Century Lullaby” (Marton Players), “The Black Horseman” (Townswomen’s Guild), “Beauty For Sale” (Cheltenham Women’s Institute), “Number Ten” (Marton Players). 'The winning team will be announced; also tho result of the play-writing competition.