BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23865, 20 July 1939, Page 17

BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE

FESTIVAL OF ONE-ACT PLAYS HUGH STANDARD OF WORK VALUABLE COMMENTARY All theatre-lovers must be concerned with the activities of the British Drama League in this district, and it is only because too many of them are not that there is a lack of appreciation of the great service this organisation is rendering not only to the amateur stage but also to the theatre itself in thL country. From small beginnings the Otago Area has developed its functions, sometimes in the face of discouraging influences, until to-day it is able to present a four-night season comprising no fewer than 15 one-act plays ; The opening session was held last night in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall and the promise it offered of good theatre and intelligent entertainment should be more than sufficient to excite the interest of those who profess allegiance to the legitimate stage. Influence of League

There may be a nineteen-thirtyish ring about such a phrase as the “ menace of the films.” but it was a popular cliche with many not so long ago. and it persists still in some quarters. There can l>e no doubt that the conviction did exist when the “ talkies ” were becoming progressively better that they would come into such direct competition with the theatre that the one could only exist on condition that the other perished. It may be regarded in some circles as a form of flattery to attribute some of the survival of the flesh ano blood drama in this Dominion to the amateur theatre, but despite that it is a fact that cannot be denied. Therefore, since the Drama League has, in the frank admission of the repertory organisations themselves, proved a fruitful recruiting ground for non-pro-fessional producers, the league in general, and the Otago area in particular in this centre, are entitled to demand the whole-hearted support of all who have at heart the maintenance of the limited professional programme this country can at the moment afford A Stimulating Evening Last night’s programme was a stimulating experience. Four plays were presented, and between them they achieved more than a good average The potentialities of the one-act stage —a branch of the theatre which has developed strongly in the theatrical centres of the world of late years were very fairly exploited. The performances reached a comn.endably high standard, and the good fortune of the audience was bettered by a well-in-formed. lively, and instructive commentary on the various productions by a judge whose enthusiasm for the stage as a medium of art is fairly balanced by. a keen technical knowledge and a practical experience of the essentials of good theatre, whether in the script or production. Expert Commentary Miss Ngaio Marsh, at the outset, suggested that the Drama League and its activities should, above all. act as a stimulus to dramatic appreciation and a study of the arts of the theatre. That this was no mere figure of speech was strikingly illustrated by the expert manner in which she herself set about the task of stimulating her hearers at the conclusion of each performance. She distributed praise and blame with an engaging tact and rare understanding of tne feelings of the players, many of whom were complete tyros, making their first appearance in a competitive programme. Neither audience nor performers could fail to benefit by her admirable comments, which were so obviously the result of experience, natural taste, and critical perception. The league has without doubt been fortunate' In securing the services of Miss Marsh as judge. The gratification o)? the area in this respect was happily expressed by the president. Mrs J. Sutherland Ross, in the few remarks with which she welcomed Miss Marsh and introduced her to the audience. “ Sanctuary ” The first production was “ Sanctuary," by Miss Phoebe M. Rees, presented by a group of beginners who styled themselves the City Players. Miss Marsh described their performance as an auspicious opening to the festival, and from the manner of its acceptance by the audience the opinion was a general one. “ Sanctuary " is a simple romantic drama with an underIving vein of sincerity, but as the judge remarked, , no great literary style. As a subject for amateur effort however, it is excellent, and the judge found a great deal to commend in the way it was presented. The faults she emphasised were of technique the ommissions of inexperience and certainly not lack of dramatic endeavour. The cast of seven vomen was well balanced, and the clear-cut types of the cast were well contrasted. Miss Marsh remarked an unevenness of tempo and an inadequate use of stage gesture, but found a great deal to admire in tne work of the several players, particularly the Mother Superior, whose portrait she described as admirable. This was a B Grade production. “A Family Comedy” The Admiralty Players, an A Grade combination, presented Miss Marjorie Bowen’s “A Family Comedy,” a farcical comedy of excellent dramatic structure and illumined by some brilliant and witty dialogue. “An intellectual squib on the Victorian age, said the judge, "calling for pace, precision and adroitness, and presenting many difficulties for amateurs." The Victorian manner was well contrived for the most part, and Miss Marsh complimented the players on very fair pace and timing in the face of several pitfalls. There was a cast of seven, and the dialogue extended every one of them, more especially as the big moments were many. The chief fault, according to Miss Marsh, was a too vigorous beginning, which made it exceedingly difficult to pile climax on climax without allowing the play to get out of reach. Her concluding comment, however, was ‘an excellent rendering of a difficult comedy. " Idols ” “ Idols,” also from the pen of Miss Rees, and presented by the Dunedin Catholic Dramatic Society, another B Grade team, had much in common with “ Sanctuary.” It is a play full of interest and intensity, and in the view of the judge “not distinguished but sound theatre.” This also was very well done, and Miss Marsh commented favourably on the excellent movement of the players, their grasp of the mood 01 the play and a commendable use of the stage, points which she was very pleased to observe in a combination requiring further experience. A lack of tenseness at the appropriate monDent, was one of her criticisms and also a failure to make the most of the first of the two climaxes which comprise the theme, There was some warm praise, however, for some of the character work and a general word of commendation for the performance as a whole.

“ Royal Inn

Mr R, E. Mitchell’s “ Royal Inn,’’ presented by the Belmont Players, undoubtedly created an impression. The excellence of the materia] is illustrated by Miss Marsh’s enthusiastic estimate of the play, “extraordinarily well constructed, and containing everything technically that a one-act play needs.” Such quality imposes obligations, however. and experienced players can take no liberties with the delicate structure of “ Royal Inn.” The danger. Miss Marsh said, was precipitating, a laugh at the wrong moment. Happily the Belmont Players displayed skill enough to avoid such perils, and gave a performance which greatly pleased the judge. “The end of this play is contained in every line of it,” she said "and a false move at any stage might . ruin the whole effect. The greatest essential is flexibility of

tempo, and, although this is very difficult, these players achieved it very well. They are definitely on the right road with this play, and I think 1 can say they have travelled a good distance along that road.” Incidentally, Miss Marsh suggested that the startling content of the play was less important than its outstanding structure. As a judge, she was more concerned with the aesthetics of the production than with its ethics. To-night’s Programme Four more plays will be presented to-night the programme commencing with "Prologue to the Long Shadow,” and including "Merry Go Round. ’ a New Zealand play, “ Garments of Red and “The Monkey’s Paw.”