DUNEDIN PLAYBOX

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23955, 2 November 1939, Page 12

DUNEDIN PLAYBOX

FESTIVAL CONCLUDED The second and Anal evening of the annual drama festival staged by members of the Playbox Club attracted another capacity “ house ” on Tuesday evening when four one-act plays were greatly enjoyed. Mrs E H. Murray again gave helpful and. encouraging criticism. In summing up, she said that the eight plays presented revealed a good standard and were a credit to producers and players alike; not one play had been indifferent, and each had much to commend it Mrs Murray placed first “Design for .Dying, Mr Lionel Stephens’s production, with 81 points Two plays tied for second place—" Fine Feathers,” produced by Mrs Lance Griffiths and Miss Dulcie Hazelwood’s presentation of In -he Year Two Thousand —while Mr Leonard J. Ireland’s “The Nurse was fourth. The first of Tuesday’s plays was “ Design for Dying,” which had an excellent setting and beautiful dressing, gnd in which good team work was done; the stage was well used and balance and timing were good Miss Edna Lungley received commendation for a competent performance and Mrs Murray also spoke eulogistically of the work done by Mr Lionel Stephens. Mrs Richard Hill lent vivacity to her part, and Messrs Burton Donovan and W H. Armstrong gave highly colourful interpretations of their respective parts In a smaller role Mrs Gordon Douglas did an artistic piece of work Mrs Murrays decision to place this play the unanimous approval of the audienMr Cecil Oaten presented the second play “Love and Cousin Albert, an amusing and wholesome comedy Mrs Murray appreciated the work in this piece, stating that the comedy had been well exploited although the pace had slackened towards the end Mr? Lance Griffiths gave a sound character study which the judge described as entirely satisfying and artistic Mr L. J Ireland also save a remarkably good performance and Miss Ailsa Skinner and Mr Colin Martin gave well contrasted and competent interpretations Mr Glen Herbert plaved the remaining part Miss M Hollo was commended by Mrs Murray for employing a cast of 11 tor her production of A P Herbert’s “Double Demon,” It is a delicious comedy and save for a slight hesitancy in one or two instances was well managed The women were suitably dressed and made up and formed an amusing group Mrs A J Ryan was the principal speaker, and Mr A C Stephens essayed the only male role investing it with many clever touches that brought praise from the adjudi cator and great hilarity from the audience The other players were Mrs T Nelson. Mrs G, Douglas, and Misses

Trixie Wood. Brela Callender Shirley Kirkwood, Natalie Owles, Holmes Henderson Eileen Houston Margaret Ballard and Connie Manning. The final presentation was “ In the Year Two Thousand." There was crispness and good attack in the work of this team and the humour was well exploited Mrs Murray praised the movements and the picturesque dressing There was a slight relaxation of tempo towards the end of the play but it had been handled with credit by both producer and players, the latter being Mrs Richard Hill Miss Jean Huddart and

Messrs Glen Herbert Leo Manning aria Gordon Churchman Special praise was given to Mrs Lance Griffiths, whom Mrs Murray described as the outstanding performer in the festival and to Miss Alice Clarke Miss Dulcie Hazelwood Mr L. J Ireland and Mr A C Stephens, each of whom. Mrs Murray said, had given excellent individual studies. At the conclusion of the evening the producers were presented to the audience and thanked by Mr Russell-Wood, who also conveyed the gratitude of all to Mrs Murray for her kindness in

essaying the arduous task of adjudL cator with such complete success and satisfaction