High Standard Shown at W.I Drama Festival

Northern Advocate, 29 July 1939, Page 8

High Standard Shown at W.I Drama Festival

t mateur work that touche d a particularly high standA ARB—NOTABLY IN THE DUOLOGUE “WITCHCRAFT” PRESENTED BY THE WHANGAREI CENTRE—WAS WITNESSED AT THE TOWN HALL ON THURSDAY WHEN THE D RAMA FESTIVAL OF THE WHANGAREI FEDERATION OF WOMEN’S INSTITUTES COMMENCED A THREE NIGHTS’ SEASON.

For the first time an open class has been included and this drew an

excellent response,

Three entries from the High School and from the Y.W.C.A. demonstrate the interest of the younger generation—a happy augury for the future of amateur dramatics in the district. A team from Woolworths is also

competing,

At the commencement of the performance, Mrs J. Ross, president of the Whangarei District Federation, extended a welcome to all who attended and introduced the adjudicator, Miss Anita Webster, of Auckland.

The promotion of the annual drama festivals is one of the most important educational aspects of the Women’s Institutes’ work, said Mr W. Jones, Mayor of Whangarei, in opening the festival.

The programme had been very well

prepared

Stage “waits” in this play should have been avoided. Other parts (were taken by Miss Blanche Jackman

Miss Webster fully qualified to undertake the important task of judging, said Mr Jones, in welcoming the adjudicator.

(Jean) and Miss Florence Bauer (Mary).

Maunu’s Play,

“All the players,” said Miss Webster, “should have spoken more slowly and more distinctly, and not as though they had learned their parts. More stage movement, also, would have improved the production.”

“Peace In Our Time,” by Muriel and Sidney Box, was a modern .and quite good play which the Maunu Women’s Institute performed with finish.

The actresses demonstrated that they had a grasp of the elements of stage craft, Miss Webster said. Grouping, however, could have been better. Lady Crosby—portrayed Jjy Mrs Griffin—was not quite English enough, Miss Webster said in giving an individual criticism of players.

Miss G. Griffin, as Lady Crosby's daughter, played her part well, as did Miss Dorehill as Emily, the parlourmaid.

Maisic Easton, an American (Mrs. McKinney) was not quite American enough to Miss Webster; but restraint was a “good fault” in such a part. Miss M. Sloan, as Matsu Kuoski, a Japanese, and Mrs. Anderson as Olga Balarova, a Russian, both could have spoken more loudly, and could have spoken more to the audience than they did.

A short part, convincingly portrayed, was the way Miss Webster described “A Woman in Black,” acted by Miss G. Griffin.

Whangarei Centre’s Contribution

A very good play, requiring much dramatic ability, was “The Flood,” presented by the Whangarei Centre of the Women’s Institute.

Their fault lay mainly in players masking each other; the grouping could have been improved. Players should remember that each one must be seen by the audience. There was a tendency, too, to talk to centre-stage instead of to the audience. Dialect plays are always difficult, but the Centre showed it had a good understanding of what' was required and did the play well. The old lady had a small part which she handled effectively. So far as “props” were concerned, Miss Webster mentioned that the couch on which the old lady rested, was a little too modern for a Sussex cottage. Anno (Mrs. Calder) had a good speaking voice and gave a good performance but talked too much to centre-stage instead of" to the audience. Had she paused in her lines—and her knitting—she would have been more convincing in her dramatic moments. Her last sentence was a little too long in the pauses.

Betsy (Mi's. Beale) was also good, as 'was Zilpha (Mrs. Aldred). The neighbours (Mesdames McDonald. Butler, Hardy and Fraider) were inclined to talk too quickly, with the result that many of their words were lost to the audience.

“Witchcraft” An Excellent Play

“Witchcraft,” a duologue by the Whangarei Centre W. 1.. drew most praise from Miss Webster. It was, she said, one of the best dramatic efforts she has yet seen.

Interpretation, production and stagecraft were excellent.

Played around an old country superstition, the scene for “Witchcraft” was laid in a peasant cottage. Mrs. McLachlan took the part of the Old Woman, and Mrs. Wiley was the Young Woman.

A thorough understanding of makeup and dress was shdwn, Miss Webster said. What the stage lacked in properties was made up for in the atmosphere created by the players. Words were clear, and both actresses had clear speaking voices.

“I applaud the artistry of this production.” said Miss Webster.

Y.W.C.A.’s Production

All the players in the Y.W.C.A.’s drama. “The Call of the Koe Koe," could have spoken out more, said Miss Webster, whose comments on this production were intended to he helpful to the young players.

Miss Mildred Robertson, as Mrs. Duncan, did not make herself sufficiently old. and Effie (Miss Dawn Ross) would scarcely have come straight from a ship without a coat or a case of some kind.

An improvised fire would have given more realism to the stove. Margaret (Miss Joan Johnston) speke a little too quickly and with not enough emotion.