ONE-ACT PLAYS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26596, 20 October 1947, Page 6

ONE-ACT PLAYS

SOUTH ISLAND FESTIVAL DUNEDIN SUCCESS “ Dark Brown,” by the Dunedin Players, was placed first in the South Island festival of one-act plays conducted in Dunedin on Saturday night by the Otago Area of the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League. The successful entry represented the Otago Area. The South Canterbury Area was represented by “A Family Comedy, 1840,” which was presented by the 20th Century Drama Group, Timaru, while the Balclutha Drama Club represented the South Otago Area with “ The House With the Twisty Windows.” Announcing his award, the judge, Mr W. J. Mount joy, said he hoped none of the players would be discouraged by his extremely critical remarks. Each of the three plays had been very good, and because of their merit, he said, he had not been disposed to dismiss them lightly. Too much importance should not be attached to the award of first place to any play, he said, because the real achievement was the players' success in entertaining the public. Congratulating all of the players and the producers, Mr Mountjoy added that he had enjoyed the evening’s entertainment. Welcoming the audience, the president of the Otago Area, Mrs J. Sutherland Ross, said she was disappointed that there were not more of the public present because Dunedin was recognised as a centre of cultural activities. A special feature would be made of cne-act plays in the city next year. Constructive Criticism At the conclusion of each play, Mr Mountjoy gave a detailed constructive criticism of each player’s performance, the setting and lighting. In “The House With the Twisty Windows ” the part of Derrick Moore had been particularly well played, the judge said, while that of Lady Ponting received his commendation. The other players had not quite succeeded because they had not lived their parts. Reactions had been too sudden and overdone. He, urged the players to “ think themselves into their parts.” A detailed discussion by the players of the characters in the cast would help to achieve this, he explained, because it necessarily took a long time for most players to grow into the character they were portraying. Mr Mountjoy recommended a greater range of voice in conveying moods. “ Dark Brown ” was a meritorious performance, with signs of brilliance in places, Mr Mountjoy said. The portrayal of Jenny Brown had been a worthy one, with the player knowing exactly what her feelings were. The revelation of the character of Arthur Brown was one which, the judge said, he had not experienced from any other actor during the evening. An excellent atmosphere had been created in the play, and a gripping ending had been well and sensitively done. To characters who were required to speak fast in a play, Mr Mountjoy said their speech must be crisp and louder than usual. A player speaking backstage, away from the audience, should also speak louder' and with more resonance. Presentation of Comedy Commenting oh “A Family Comedy,” the judge emphasised that correct costumes were essential for period plays. The period of this play was one in which women’s skirts were full, and narrow waists were the fashion. Mr Mountjoy gave details of how this could have been achieved. As a comedy, the play had succeeded and the setting was also good. In a serious play the actors required to give a serious interpretation of the characters, but in a comedy the interpretation needed to be more of a caricature in its exaggeration. In a comedy, too, players must wait for the laughs from an audience and .not try to speak through them. Emphasising the necessity for attention to detail, Mr Mountjoy said that just one example was the walk of Mr Henry Porter, which required much practice by the player before he faced an audience or judge. The part of Emily in the play had been very well portrayed, the judge added, the inflection in her voice being excellent. Mr W. G. Tweedy, president of the South Canterbury area, thanked the Otago officials for the welcome to visiting players and the facilities afforded them. He congratulated all those responsible for conducting the festival in Dunedin and on their choice of a judge. He assured the Otago area of willing co-operation by South Canterbury on future occasions.