DRAMA FESTIVAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21868, 2 August 1934, Page 12

DRAMA FESTIVAL

PLAYS ON THIRD NIGHT The Lewis Eady Hall was crowded last night for the third series of plays in the drama festival conducted by the Auckland branch of the British Drama League. Once aga,in a delightful and varied entertainment was provided, the audience finding great interest not only in the plays, but also in the comments given at the conclusion oL each pieco by the judge, Miss Elizabeth Blake. J. M. Synge's beautiful and tragic one-act play, "Riders to the Sea," was given a thoughtful presentation by the Auckland University Collego Literary and Dramatic Club as the opening play. Buiilt around the theme of the cruelty of the sea to an old Irish woman whose sons have been claimed by it, the piece depends largely on tho atmosphere and the simplicity of presentation. The part of the old woman, Maurya, was taken by Miss Ruth Warren, Cathleen was played by Miss Betty Warren, Nora by Mrs. D. Leatham, and Bartley by Mr. C. P. Richmdnd. Miss Blako commented on the, good lighting and setting of tho play, and the way in which tho poetry of the original had been captured to & large extent. The dramatic Biblical story of the death of Sisora formed the subject of "Jael," a play written by an Auckland writer, Mrs. Helen M. Parker, and presented by the Winchenden Playors. It was given, a colourful and beautifully staged presentation which won high commendation from Miss Blake for its pictorial value and for, the smoothness and certainty of the production. Miss Althca Parker appeared as Jael, Mr. W. McKail Geddes as Sisera, Mr. Allan Harper as Heber, Mrs. McKail Geddes as Deborah, Miss Maisie Free as Zillah, Mr. Allan Leonard as Barak and Mr.JTerenco Morgan as a messenger. "

A second original play, "The Young Girl From Next Door," by Mrs. M. A. B. Latter, was given by the Georgian Players as the concluding item. This was n comedo-fantasy contrasting in effect the manners and modes of thought of two different centuries. Miss Lyned Wilson took the part of Clive Dudley, a sophisticated modern girl, Miss Freda Crosher appeared as the spirit from the . former age, Mr. J. G. Hilton and Mr. R. F. Spragge provided plenty of humour as two divergent types of the modern young man, Miss Veronica Walsh took the part of Mrs. Dudley, Miss J. Phillipson was the family servant, and Mr. Kenneth Warburton took the role of an august shade from the past. In commending the players for several fine individual characterisations, Misß Blake pointed out that grouping on the stage had not always been carefully watched, and some of the speech had not been firm enough. The festival will be continued tonight with the presentation of lour plays.