A GROUP OF PLAYS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20721, 14 November 1930, Page 5

A GROUP OF PLAYS.

COMEDY AND DRAMA. A varied programme of plays and character sketches was presented by Mr. and Mrs. J. William Bailey and their pupils before a largo audience in the Lewis Eady Hall last evening. Tho plays in which the children comprised tho casts were simple and attractive stories well within the scope of ever) the youngest player, and their acting and stage presence were in every case most creditable. Outstanding in the one-act plays presented was "The Secret," in which Mrs. Bailey acted the part of Kilty Bellairs, ono of the most famous actresses of her time at tho Drury Lano Theatre, and Miss Rhoija Speed was Lady Chartcris. ilio verbal duel between tho two women, one of whom suspected her husband of an intrigue with tho actress, was splendidly acted, and tho delightful costumes of the period lent an added charm to the play. Tho one-act comedy, "Me and My ' Diary," by Gertrude Jennings, was another successful presentation. As Lady Adela, who had published a diary in which many of her friends were mentioned in an unfavourable light, Mrs. J. W. Bailey gave a very finished performance, while the parts of her unfortunate friends were equally well taken by Miss Beryl McQuillan, Miss Marjorie Yorkc, Miss Rhona Speed, Miss Lilian Sharp and Mr. Roy Ferguson. The only play in which humour was entirely absent was "Ho Dines Alone," which differed considerably from the ordinary run of oneact plays. It was a story with pathos as the keynote, and was the promise of a man to dine on the anniversary of his wedding day, with places set for his dead wife and two dead friends. Mr. Bailey took tho part of the fulfiller of the pact, and Mr. A. L. Lister was the butler who entered into the solemn spirit of his master's duty. An excerpt from "The Taming of tho Shrew" was given by Mr. and Mrs. Bailey. Tho other three plays were done by tho children. The first, "The Musical Box," was a light and dainty story, excellently acted by the following east : Mickio Orr, Tui Dent, Ngaire Te Weri, Tony Worth, Louise Henriksen and Ken Evans. A fairy play, "The Arm-Chair," was acted by Ethel Stein, Gladys Spencer, Ivy Spencer and Douglas Spencer. " The Holly-Tree Inn," Charles Dickens' story of a Gretna Green runaway marriage, was excellently presented by Rhona Kendel, Mickic Orr, Margaret Bolton, Myrtle Bowman and Trevor Dougmore. A character recital, "Orange Blossom," by Mr. Bailey, was well received, the talc of Chinese revenge, so reminiscent of tho novels of the author of the sketch, Sax Rohmer, being given appropriate atmosphere by the exotic smell of incense which pervaded the hall. Other items were:—Humorous sketch, "Jules at the Phone," by Mr. Roy Ferguson; humorous sketch, "A Baby Girl," by little Isobel Henriksen; duologue, "A N'ordinary Boy," by Ngaire Te Weri and Isobel Henriksen; song, "The Answer," and "Cuckoo," by Mrs. Bailey; character sketch, "Liza Jane," by Jean McFarlane; song. "The Minuet," liy Ngaire To Weri: and recitations by Bcttv Judge and Myrtle Bowman.