DRAMA FESTIVAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22221, 23 September 1935, Page 12

DRAMA FESTIVAL

THE WINNING PLAYS TRIBUTES TO WORK J PERFORMANCES TO-NIGHT The third annual festival of the Auckland branch of the British Drama League was continued on Saturday night with the presentation in the Town Hall concert chamber of three further one-act plays. There was a largo audience, and keen interest was taken in the announcement of the results. The winning performances will be repeated to-night, when the festival will conchide.

The first of Saturday night's presentations was given by the Waikato Diocesan School Drama Circle, which offered a praiseworthy interpretation of "Campbell of Kilmohr," J. A. Ferguson's drama of the " '45 Rebellion." The adjudicator, Mr. Kenneth Brampton, said the play had been performed astoundingly well, although its presentation was, perhaps, a rather too ambitious project for the players. The play was produced by Margaret L. Trafford and the cast comprised Joan Ilizen, Annette Every, Elaino Goodev, Marjorie Every, June Ilowdon, Peggy Self, Nancy Holmes, lsobel Langdon, Joan Wallis and June Catley.

Appearing at short notice, members of the Drama Circle of the Takanini

Women's Division of tho Farmers' Union gave an amusing performance of Inez Peacock's "A Rose In Bloom," concerning a difficult matter of matrimony. "It was a very amusing sketch and was played quite well," said Mr. Brampton. The players were Mrs. Gee, Mrs. Mackintosh, Mrs. Claude, Mrs. Atkinson and Mrs. Martin. A Notable Performance

The last production on the programme, "In the Shadow of the Glen," a typical play by J. M. Synge, was interpreted by the Playhouse Players. It was a striking production, strikingly played. "It was, I thought, a very fitting finale," said Mr. Brampton at the close of the performance. "Like all Syngo's plays, it is remarkably fine. I have seen it at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin, and often in the past I thought of doing it here, but I could never find a cast. If I had been fortunate enough to find this cast, I would have produced the play without fear." The performance of Valerie Anderson as Nora Burke was wonderful, Mr. Brampton added. Although only one of the players was over 18 years of age, they bad given a remarkable interpretation. "In the Shadow of the Glen" was produced by J. W. Bailey. The cast included Neville Ward, Arthur Walker and Mick Orr.

On Saturday afternoon plays in the junvenile section of the festival were performed by the Sunshine Dramatic Club, the Lilliput Club and'St. Aidan's Junior Bible Class Dramatic Circle. Mr. Brampton made special mention of the performance of A. P. Herbert's production, "Fat King Melon and Princess Caraway," by the' Lilliput Club. Details ol Results The results of the festival competition, announced on Saturday night, are as follows: — »

Herald Trophy, for best performance of a one-act play.—Tho Winchenden Players, appearing in "Room 83" (written by a New Zealander, Mrs. Helen M. Parker). Mirror Trophy, for author of best original play produced at the festival. —Mr. J. A. S. Coppard ("Sordid Story"). Mr. Coppard ("The Tomb of Od") drew with Mrs. Helen M. Parker ("Room 83") for second place. Classic Trophy, for best classic entry. —Auckland Girls' Grammar School Old Girls' Dramatic Club, appearing in "Hamlet."

Auckland University College Students' Association Trophy, for best entry by teams under 18 years of age. —Tho Lilliput Club, appearing in "King Melon and Princess Caraway." The Waikato Diocesan Girls' School ("Campbell of Kilmhor") was only one mark behind.

In recognition of their performances, B certificates were awarded to the following:—The Winchenden Players ("Room 83"), Auckland University College Department of English ("Sordid Story"); New Women's Club ("When the Whirlwind Blows"), Experimental Theatre Society ("The Tomb of Od"). A tribute to tho skill of Mr. Coppard was paid in a commentary on the winning plays, read by Dr. J. W. Craven, president of the Auckland branch of tho British Drama League. The judges were Mr. J W. Shaw, Mr. H. Hayward and Mr. Brampton. " 'Sordid Story' is an amazingly brilliant playette," stated the commentary. "Its originality and daring conception mean that wo have in Auckland a master-mind at playcraft." Mrs. Parker's "Room 83" was described as "a dramatic morceau, with an ingenious plot and a touch of melodrama."