EVENING OF DRAMA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21504, 30 May 1933, Page 3

EVENING OF DRAMA

THE LYCEUM CLUB Tragedy and comedy both played their part in the programme of three one-act plays presented by tho dramatic circle of the Lyceum Club in the club J lounge last evening. The loungo. was filled with a particularly largo gathering of club members and their friends, who, by their interest and enthusiasm, paid a well-deserved tribute to tho splendid acting of all the players. Although last on the programme the play of medieval Italy, entitled "Borgia," by Claude Radeliffo, was an outstanding performance, to which the beautiful costumes of tho wealthy nobility of tho period lent added charm and atmosphere.. Tho play was heavy with tragedy and each of the three parts needed most careful handling, but tho. cast was well chosen, with excellent results. Tho story dealt with the plotting of Gianctta Caparelli, a noble ladv of Rome, and Beatrice of Orsini, a princess of tho house of Orsini, and member of a great Roman family at enmity with tho Borgias, to murder Caesare Borgia,' Duke of Valentinois and Romagna, who has killed the former s lover and driven tho latter's into exile. The plotting, however, is overheard dv Borgia, who exacts his own frightful revenge, forcing Beatrice to murder Gianetta. Tho part of Gianetta was taken bv Estellc Verran, that of Beatrice by Edna Craig and that of Caesare Borgia by Jack Mackle. A striking contrast was the plav " Mr. Sampson," by Charles Lee, in which two elderly spinster sisters received a proposal of marriage from a farmer. The atmosphere of old-fash-ioned, maiddilv dignity which pervaded the room in which tbev li%-ed was ably assisted by an aspidistra, some antimacassars and a grandfather clock. In© parts were played by Lorua Leatham, Joan Craig and Trevor Binns. _ A skit 011 present-day courtship, in which only one 'word is spoken by each person at a time, was the third plav presented, Audrey Alison and Alan Harper playing the parts. Incidental music by an instrumental trio was very much enjoyed during the intervals.