“CHILDREN IN UNIFORM”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22373, 21 September 1934, Page 7

“CHILDREN IN UNIFORM”

AN IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE MISS ANITA WINKEL’S PUPILS. The world of which Christa Winsloe treats in “Children in Uniform," is a world- far removed from that of which English audiences know anything. Whatever may be the catchword of educationists here it is certainly not “ suppression,” and for that reason the theme of the play which was presented in the Concert Chamber last night must strike a little strangely on English ear’s. That it is one, nevertheless, which makes Nits appeal was shown by the applause which the pupils of Miss Anita Winkel gained for their interpretation of the play. In her search for materia] Miss Winkel, as producer, left the beaten track, and the result justified her departure. Although the whole theme of the play is so far removed from what applies in the English speaking world, it presents a phase in the life of modern Germany that is both interesting and provocative. “ Children in Uniform ” is concerned with a German girls’ school, of which the pupils are the daughters of the class which suffered most disastrously from the war, and of which the headmistress belongs to a class that may be suspected of being typically Prussian. The atmosphere is that of a country and society finding itself in a >post-war world, and looking back longingly to the Germany, of 1914. Side by side with that feeling is a spirit of racial pride, coupled with a genuine racial vigour, that refuses to accept failure and braces itself for a day that is to come. In that girls’ school there is nothing of softness, nothing of laxity; only discipline, the discipline of the vanquished who hope to fight again. Christa Winsloe has concerned herself with the effect of such an atmosphere upon a girl full of the joy of living, possessing- an eagerness of spirit that takes no account of restraint, and an affectionate'nature that finds no answering response. Although there is a suggestion of morbidity in the character that is drawn, there is nothing of this in the play itself, and the climax which is reached in the death of the girl, who throws herself from a window, is a rather supererogatory addition to the count against the school system which it condemns. “ Children in Uniform ” calls for an extremely large cast, and, if the demands that are made upon most of those who appear upon the stage are not heavy, there are three or four parts that call for something more than average ability. In the first place it must be acknowledged that Miss Winkel has been fortunate in having a wealth of casting material at her disposal. And in Miss Molly Baker and Miss .Joyce Messent she has two splendid leads. As Fraulein Von ’Beruburgh, Miss Baker reaches a very high standard of acting. She succeeds in conveying to her audience an impression of the strength and well-schooled tenderness that make up the character of the mispress whom her pupils fear and adore. It is a fine piece of restrained acting, and one which does much to lift the play to the standard which it ’ reaches. Miss Messent is an admirable Manuela, the girl whom discipline crushes rather than tempers, and she carries the sympathy of her audience with her throughout the piece. Without emphasising the morbidness that is to be traced, in the character of the girl, she gives it in the final scene the right touch of tragedy and never once • overdoes it. There are a number of other excellent characterisations. One particularly worthy of mention is that of Miss Jean Lister, as Ilse, the impetuous and outspoken girl upon whom the greyness of life in that German school can exercise no chilling effect. Miss Nyra Lord, as Edelgard. the rather saintly companion of Manuela, and Miss Nan M‘Kee, as Martha, the gossiping sewing woman, are also excellent. The role of Fraulein Von Nordeck, the headmistress, is not an attractive one, and Miss Joyce Cooper gives it a suitably severe treatment.

Although the staging of the play does not present great difficulty, this aspect has been well handled by Mr G. Dickie, who has furnished a background of spartan simplicity in keeping with the spirit of the ploy- A word must be said for the music, which is supplied by the D.I.C. Orchestra under the direction of Mr Charles Martin, and which is an enjoyable feature of the entertainment. Miss Winkel is to he congratulated upon the success of her initial effort as a producer. The play bears evidence of the most careful training and preparation, and the object for which it has been staged, that of raising funds for the Dunedin Free Kindergarten, should further commend it to the public. "Children in Uniform ” will be presented again tonight and on Saturday;