COUSIN BETTY’S LETTER

Southland Times, Issue 20831, 20 July 1929, Page 22

COUSIN BETTY’S LETTER

MY COUSINS, Some small sums are still to come in and so 1 cannot give you a statement about the bazaar. It will be ready next Saturday. In the meantime I am assured that we have wiped out our indebtedness, and that is good. I promised to tell you about the four principal plays, and lam keeping my word. I will take them in order.

Cousin James Botting’s play, which has the. tentative title of “Barnacles and Bobstays”—an alluring name with the smack of the sea in it —deals with pirates and mermaids, and it is original in theme and treatment. I think it is more closely knit than any of the others and its action flows more easily, more logically. It has only one stage setting, which is a decided advantage when the Cousins are concerned, because it lightens the task and cost of production tremendously. At the same time it strikes out on a new line and' is almost Gilbertian in its humour. In all plays, Cousins, the element of surprise is important, and variety is highly desirable especially if these be accompanied by effective action. These virtues are all found in his play, which is well supplied with quaint humour. It is a play which, I think, will improve in rehearsal and prove decidedly attractive. I am sure you will all be proud of Cousin James Botting’s play, and that all Cousins will want to take part in it.

The second prize was won by “Patchwork,” a play by Cousin Sheila Campbell, who has improved on her effort of the previous year, though her story is a little more complicated. Cousin Sheila Campbell has given us another “adult” subject, by which I mean that the main threads of the story arc concerned with the doings of grown-ups. This makes it more difficult for us to produce, but if you remember the success of last year’s effort you will agree with me, I think, that these difficulties can be overcome. It has action, but there is more indirect action than in Cousin James Botting’s play, and it is not so strong. The dialogue is soundly written and into a very pleasing story some good situations have been worked, with some flashes of humour. I think this play, also, will make a very attractive scene, and it will please you because it will show you how Cousin Sheila Campbell has improved in dramatic construction. Cousin Peter Ferguson has a Maori subject for his play: the conflict between two families to obtain the chieftainship of a tribe. This play, “The Greenstone Mere,” will offer opportunities for out-of-doors scenes, for it is laid in the New Zealand bush. Cousin Peter’s sense of humour has led him to write some very funny dialogue, which helps a story that is rather slim, and he has not always resisted the temptation to make his characters say funny things when they should be very serious. It has not the variety of “Barnacles and Bobstays” and the humour is all in the dialogue; the situations do not lend themselves to comedy. It is a clever, attractive play and I am very proud of it.

“Night-time in Fairyland” is the title of Cousin Eileen Mclntosh’s one-act play, in which all the characters of the nursery rhymes, to whom are added Peter Pan and Wendy, appear. It is a dream play with many'novel touches in it, but its weakness lies in the meagreness of its action. The production of it, too, would offer some difficulties, but if it could be adequately staged it would be very pleasing and convince the good people of Southland that among our Cousins are some very clever writers of plays. Cousin Eileen Mclntosh has drawn her characters skilfully and with many original touches which should prove very diverting. It is a decided advance on any of her other efforts in dramatic writing, and it is a play which should delight all children.

Now, there you have my brief views of the four plays I have mentioned to you,' and I hope you are looking forward to seeing them; but I am afraid you must wait a little longer. There is still a lot of sickness about and it will be better for us all if we delay just a little longer. At the same time I must remember that you must have sufficient notice of the day on which we are to meet and discuss our plans. It will not be this Saturday, but I must warn you to prepare for next Saturday. I have not made up my mind yet, so do not take this as a formal notice of our meeting. That may sound very cautious to you, but in the circumstances it is necessary. Therefore, Cousins, I hope to be able to tell you definitely next Saturday that the meeting will be held on that afternoon. Until then you and I must have patience, and in the meantime I salute you all with my love and remain your hopeful