OTAGO WOMEN’S CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24911, 9 May 1942, Page 7

OTAGO WOMEN’S CLUB

POETRY CIRCLE At the meeting of the poetry circle of the Otago Women’s Club on Tuesday afternoon reference was made to the fact that the club had lost two valued members of the committee since the last meeting, Miss V. Reynolds, the first chairwoman, and Miss F Holland, one of the early members. Mrs J. Stewart (chairwoman) and Mrs Lawrenson (secretary) spoke briefly of the early days of the circle, and of the help these ladies had given, after which members stood in silence in respect to their memory. The study for the afternoon was poems and articles from the “Poetry Review” magazine. Works read included the manifesto of the Poetry Society (with headquarters in London), of which the “Poetry Review” is the official organ, as well as many rare and interesting poems and several provocative articles, notably one, concerning the success of poets as ambassadors, which produced a good deal of discussion.

PLAY-READING AND MUSIC CIRCLES

The Shakespeare Memorial evening held recently at the Otago Women's Club by the play-reading and music circles was an outstanding success. A scene from “Julius Caesar” prepared by Mrs E. H. Murray, was presented with Mrs Murray as Julius Caesar, Mrs F. G. Soper as Calpurnia and Mrs Maurice Arthur as Decius; and one from “Henry VIII” prepared by Mrs Wakefield Homes was given with Mrs Holmes as Catherine of Aragon, Mrs A. A. Fairbairn as Cardinal Wolsey, Miss Farnie as Cardinal Camperius. and Mesdames R. J. Laurenson and W. J. Gilbert as two serving maids. The stage setting in each instance was admirably achieved, as were also the costumos -of the players. The music circle’s contribution to the evening was a series of part songs and solos from Shakespeare's plays, set to music by modern British composers and sung as an interlude between tlie two scenes. Mrs Norman Ellis (play-read-ing) and Mrs L. Beaumont (music) acted as jbint chairwomen. An appreciative vote of thanks was passed on a motion proposed by Mrs V. E. Galway.

ARTS AND CRAFTS

The All Purposes Appeal benefited to the extent of over £l2 by the bring-and-buy sale held on Wednesday, by the arts and crafts circle of the Otago Women’s Club.