PLAY-ACTING.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume IV, Issue 172, 3 July 1936, Page 5

PLAY-ACTING.

COMMON FAULTS

Mrs. Uniacke Talks On Drama. PRODUCING EXPLAINED. “We think ourselves so very modern ’ and up-to-date acting plays in drama leagues and acting circles,” said Mrs. F. P. Uniacke, in a Girls’ Educational Week talk last overlooking the fact that acting has gonethrough all the ages since some hundreds of years B.C. Every description of play was enacted; drama (which means everything appertaining to play-acting and the stage), tragedy, religious and miracle plays, and even comedy.” “The first thing to do,” continued Mrs. Uniacke, “if we want to put on a play, is to gather together sonm five or six or more enthusiasts and get a good play. It’s easier to put on a good play than a bad one. A producer must then be found, and he must he able to cast the parts to the most suitable people. The producer must be able to interpret each character, set l the stage, mind the grouping, and a thousnnd-and-one things that have to be attended to to make the play convincing to the audience. The producer takes all the blame and the actor all the praise, so you see the producer is absolutely necessary.” The technique of stage deportment was outlined by Mrs. Uniacke. The speaker talked on the control of the body, stance, walking, asd all movement and gesture while on the atage. Breathing and the control of the voice were the main factors in successful acting, but Mrs. Uniacke reminded her listeners that, though it was last, it was not least that the mind should be concentrated on the play.

After Mrs. Uniaoke’s lecture a period play, with costuming of 1840, was produced. The actors were Ailsa Hangar (Fanny), Diana Fetch (Mama), May Robertson (Victoria), and Mavis Soott (Marea). Mrs. Uniacke, at the conclusion of the play, demonstrated possible mistakes in the furniture and property used in the play.