REPERTORY SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24773, 25 November 1941, Page 3

REPERTORY SOCIETY

MONTHLY SOCIAL

Before the presentation of three oneact plays, at the monthly social of the Repertory Society last nigl)t, Mrs Richard Hudson, on behalf of the society, j i made the presentation of a gift to Miss , Essie Moloney, who has retired from . the position of secretary. Making the | presentation, Mrs Hudson spoke of the = valued service which Miss Moloney had given during her long term of office as secretary. Miss Moloney, in reply, expressed her thanks to the so- — ciety for giving her the opportunity to undertake such interesting work. Mrs Hudson introduced Miss Mary Ander- ■ son, the newly-appointed secretary, to the members. ( = Mr W. R. Brugh, president of the sdciety, announced that " Murder in the Cathedral" would be presented during the first week in December, and urged members to support this production, as the proceeds would go to patriotic funds. Miss Kathleen Falconer will produce the play. The first play, "The Quality of Mercy," by Kathleen O'Brien, presented by Mr F. Lanyon, was a slight sketch, in which the principal part was that of an actress who had risen from the position of companion-help. Miss Myra McKechnie, who played this part, has a satisfying stage voice and sustained the role well. Smaller parts were taken by Miss Sylvia Seelen as Lucy Winter, Miss Grace Douglas as Miss Parasene, Miss Ainslie Grant as Mrs Beau Maurice, and Miss Rowena Lindon as Magdalen. " They Went Forth," by Rubenstein was an ambitious choice, in which the male characters were outstanding. The play was set in the living room of a Jewish home in Russia, ancrconcerned a plot to save a young Jewish boy from compulsory military service, by smuggling him to England. Mr Walter Laurie gave a finely delineated portrayal of the benevolent rabbi, Joseph Rubenstein. and Mr Leslie Jack was successful in the character of a Russian officer. Beille (wife of the rabbi) was adequately played by Miss Nan Laurie, and Sarah Kleviman (a widow) by Miss Jean Carr. Children's parts were taken by Alma Douglas, Jim Boddy. Ken Douglas. Marie Briggs and Betty Briggs. The play was produced by Mrs Oswald Stephens The third presentation, " Naughty Nineties." was a thoroughly enjoyable musical burlesque produced by Mrs Anita Oliver and Mr Bernard Sullivan Many of the society's best-known playing members took part in this original, presentation, and the audience greatly appreciated the hilarious effects of the melodramatic representations.