REPERTORY SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 23311, 22 September 1937, Page 13

REPERTORY SOCIETY

ONE ACT PLAYS PRESENTED The eighth social evening of the Invercargill Repertory Society of the season was held in H. and J. Smith’s tearooms. A big attendance enjoyed the presentation of two one-act plays. The first was “A Girl For The Hall,” by Margery Nugent, with the following cast: Rose Carter, Miss Zoe Smith; Flora King, Miss F. McCarthy; Winnie Pickerill, Miss M. Girdler; Lois Richmond, Miss F. Hinchey; Miss Austin, Miss R. Sutton; Miss Box, Miss B. Manson; Miss Piper, Mrs Robbie; Mrs Marling, Mrs Palmer. The producer was Miss M. Barlow. The big cast gave opportunity for a pleasing variety in the voices and the display of some good character acting. Miss P. McCarthy made a vivacious cockney girl, well contrasted with the stolid stupidity of Rose, played by Miss Zoe Smith, and the giggling Winnie of Miss M. Girdler. Mrs Robbie, Miss Sutton, Miss Manson and Mrs Palmer were well cast and gave excellent portrayals of well-marked character. A feature of the play was the well thought out and attractive dressing of the house girls. “The Bear,” by Anton Chelshov, was a very striking performance, played by an experienced cast as follows: — Elena Ivanovna Popova, Miss P Hoyles; Grigory Stepanovitch Smirnov, Dr G. Orbell; Luka, Mr E. Furby; workmen,

Mr W. A. Springford and Mr A. Young. The producer was Miss C. Miller. The play called for some vigorous work from Dr Orbell as Smirnov, and he overcame the difficulties of an exacting role with great success. Miss P. Hoyles showed fine control and power as Elena Popova. The climax was well managed. Mr Furby’s portrayal of old Luka was a magnificent piece of character work. His make-up and dressing were excellent. Miss Hoyles, in her black widow’s robe, was a charming contrast to the rough-looking Smirnov.

It was announced that the discussion on these plays would be held on September 29, and that Mr T. Jenkin would deliver a lecture on stage decoration in the Orphans’ Hall on October 6.