Drama Festival Makes Good Beginning

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 150, 27 June 1945, Page 5

Drama Festival Makes Good Beginning

THREE PLAYS PRESENTED LAST EVENING The sixth annual Intor-house Drama Festival, conducted under the auspices of the Little Theatre Society, began a three-night season at the Opera House, Palmerston North, last evening. There was a good attendance of the public and the standard of performance was gen erally high. An overture and musical interludes contributed by the Little Theatre Salon Orchestra with Mrs. C. Gair at the piano were much appreciated. Opening the programme, the president, Mr. H. G. Bagnall, said the festival had been inaugurated to draw out young players and the success enjoyed in six years indicated the effort had been well worth while. Trophies donated included the W. G. Black Cup held by the W.W.S.A. and the Lorna Bristow rose bowl held by the Public Trust. There were silver stars also - for individual players and the best novice. The society had been fortunate in securing the services of Mr. H. L. Rees, of Napier, as adjudicator, who had had wide experience as a producer and player in the Repertory {Society where the standard of work was very high. Mr. Rees was not unknown to Palmerston North for he had given valuable advice and support to liis brother, Mr. R. Rees, in the production of “Gaslight.” Mr. Bagnall concluded by wishing producers and teams “good hunting.” Sunny Corner players presented

“Back to Zero” (A. W. Box), a dramatic little play set in a shack on the Zambesi, tho cast being Misses H. Bellit, M. Alderson, Messrs W. M. Sexton and R. Greenwood, the producer Miss M. Smith.

A non-competitive play was presented by the Anon Players. It was “Swan Song,” by T. B. Morris, and the players were L. Dranslield, F. Graham, H. Beatus, A. Fraser, S. Kingston, C. Kneebone, M. French, K. Nicholls. It was produced by Mrs. R. Wilde, the scene being set in the dressing room of a theatre.

W.W.S.A. team presented “inartha and Mary” (Muriel Box), based on a Biblical story set in the living room oi a house in Bethany, Palestine. The players were Misses J. Judd, B. Walker, B Corston, J. Cruthers, J. Puklowski, M. O’Meara and G. Tietjens, the pro ducer being Mrs. J. Davidson. At the conclusion of each presentation Mr. Rees gave helpful criticisms. This evening’s programme comprises three competitive plays. The Public Trust team will present “Ladies-in-Waiting,” by Wendy St. John Maule; the P.D.C. gills’ team will present “1 Made You Possible,” by Ivor Brown, and the Library Players will present “Carnival of Steel,” by T. B. Morris. The festival concludes to-morrow when the judge will announce his placings.