AMATEUR DRAMA

Taranaki Daily News, 20 July 1935, Page 4 (Supplement)

AMATEUR DRAMA

THE’ STAGE IN TARANAKI WIDESPREAD INTEREST SHOWN. PREPARATIONS FOR FESTIVALS. (By “Haromi.”) All amateur drama enthusiasts at Stratford, whether they be producers, prncipals, prompts, or just spare parts, are exceptionally busy at the moment, if not with rehearsals then with general arrangements, for they are holding their, annual festival under the auspices of the British Drama League on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of next week. Eleven plays will be staged, including “On the Mountain,” “The Bishop’s Candlesticks,” “Karl Ludwig’s Window,” “Escape?” “Your Sex Will Find You Out,’’ “Come Out of Your Cage,” “Black Night,” “Archibald Graham,” “In Port,” “Faith’s Folly” and “The Distant Relative.” . , ' There are two junior plays entered, from the Girl Guides and the High School. The adjudicator will be Mr. Arnold Goodwin, ■ Auckland. Those taking part in the various productions are Mesdames E. S. RutherfUrd, E. McCullough, Steven, W. Farquharson, E. H. Young, R, Curtis, Stokes, Wynyard, Newell, ’ Johnston, A. W. White and Misses V. Liddell, L. Penn, S. Cook, A. and C. Uniacke, A. Hardy-Jones, D. Brown, V. Carry er, J. M. S. Beale, M. Skoglund, G. Black, M. Porritt, E. Naish, B. Macalister, J. Bremner, P. Anderson, J. Hewitt, O, Joll, V. Lash, R. Furrie, J. and T. Skoglund, P. Watson, B. Blahchard, T. Whitmill, M. Allen, M. Bird, V. Mcllroy, Z. White, A. Davis, P. Kelly, Z. Burgess, H. Femmell,; G. and D. AmesSi E. Moon and Messrs. Von Sturmer, H. Goodman, Airless, B. C. Jones, W. Morrison, E. Bourke, A. H. White, Bellringer; Houston, L. Jardine, M. Thompson, W. Farquharson, L. Wynyard, J. Pollock, E. Irving, Thomson, G. Johnston, A. C. Walker, W. Turnbull, J. Anderson, R. White, D. G. Sherson and Bruce. Jones. The -producers- will be Mesdames Stokes, E. H. Young, F. P. Uniacke and Messrs. Amess and W. Hall. Considerable interest will be taken in the play “On the Mountain,” which was written by Mr. A. H. R. Amess, principal of the Stratford High School, ; and which is .to be produced by him at the festival. The scene is set on our own Mount Egmont, and the play is to be interpreted by an exceptionally strong •cast.

Another play was written by a Stratford drama enthusiast, with the intention of entry in the festival, but unfortunately it was not completed in time for rehearsal. Stratford is naturally very proud of its local talent, and from reports it has every i - eason to be. Another play, “Doubt.” which was entered for the festival by the Inglewood Players (with Mesdames Adnams, Mr. and Mrs. Evan, Mrs. Jones, performers, and Mrs. Dansie as producer) had to be withdrawn at the last moment owing to one of their cast leaving the district unexpectedly. This must have been most disappointing for this very energetic little group. The Central Taranaki Council of the B.D.L. organising the festival consists of the president, Mr. Amess, secretary, Mrs. Uniacke, and Mrs. R. Tyrer (treasurer), with the following executive: Mesdames Steven, E. H. Young, Fredric and Messrs. W. Hall, B. Bellringer, von Sturdier, R. Carryer and D. White. The council is fortunate in having for its secretary one so keen and capable, and such a splendid organiser as Mrs. Uniacke. This extremely energetic and versatile woman gives yeoman service to the movement, not only at festival times but is a stimulus and help to the various drama groups of the district the whole year through. .

Hawera Groups. Everyone interested In drama at Hawera is getting busy choosing suitable one-act plays, and producers- are putting serious thought into the difficult and vital problem of casting their selected work. This careful selection more often than not, means the success or otherwise of a production. .In professional work there is much reluctance to cast any part without many trials, but strangely enough, though it means' as much to the players as to the play, tills system seems to be looked upon with disfavour by most amateurs, causing dissatisfaction to players not chosen, and increases to a great extent the worries of that harassed person in whose hands the mouldings of any production lies, the producer.

South Taranaki Area Festival. The executive of the South Taranaki Area of the B.D.L. decided at a recent meeting to add a juvenile section to the forthcoming festival programme, which will be limited to players under 17 years of age, it being compulsory for groups in this section to produce juvenile plays only. So far there are three definite entries in this class and the promise of ten or eleven entries in the senior section. However, a number of groups still have suitable plays and casts under consideration, and the number of entries may be increased any time. When next “amateur drama” appears, progress for the September festival will be reviewed fully. The names of plays definitely decided on for entry by various groups will be published, as this will eliminate the possibility of two groups choosing the same play, which is hard on the players and disappointing and monotonous for the audience and the judge.,

Opunaka Work. Dramatic work at Opunake is practically confined to a few live Women’s Institute members and a very enthusiastic business .girls’ group, but although the circle is in its infancy it is creating a definite interest in the district and the membership is steadily growing and the movement spreading. So far the members’ activities,consist 6f fortnightly prepared play-readings. They have had two meetings recently, when “Woman’s Crowning Glory” by H. Swears, and another .play were read. A provisional cast was also allocated for Gertrude Jenninngs’ play “The Bridd,” which is to be staged for next month. Waitara Activities. A number of people interested in amateur theatricals and drama were recently entertained at the Returned Soldiers’ Club, Waitara, when the play “Mrs. Biddlecomb and Them Furriners” was presented as a prepared reading, after which followed a general discussion of things dramatic, and a delicious tea was served, Mesdanies Morgan and Jury acting as hostesses. There were a number of Stratford enthusiasts present, -and the discussion proved most helpful, as the Waitara group will soon be holding a festival of drama and is keen to learn any useful hints on the conduct thereof. Eltliam Comedy. On Monday evening an Eltliam Amateur Club is to stage a short but most entertaining comedy “A Little Bit of Life,” which is being produced by Mrs. Havre. * Normanby Interest. There is keen interest in amateur drama at Normanby. Last week the Presbyterian Girls’ Bible class put on a one-act play, “The Family Group,” in the Presbyterian hall, Misses N. Frei, R. Sheardr, N. Shearer, E. Harrison, C. Evans and J. Davey taking part. At a recent meeting of the Drama Circle of the Normanby Women’s Institute it was decided to stage a three-act play, “The Green Monkey,” for the birthday party in September. That’s . the Normanby Dramatic spirit—productions are a joy. Manaia to Produce Comedy. . Manaia residents and those in .surrounding districts can look forward to the presentation of a three-act comedy in September. The provisional cast is . at work at present rehearsing under the leadership of Mrs. Bruce Joll, who has had considerable amateur stage experience, and who is well pleased with the ability of those portraying the characters. Whakamara. Since the formation of the social club at Whakamara’ two years’ ago the , interest has, never waned, and among the most popular of the activities of the club, which has become a vital part of the life of the conynunity, is the drama

section, which apart from finished productions, includes play-readings. At .first members had to be persuaded to . even read, but with practice their confidence has improved so that they now have a considerable number to draw dramatic casts from, the members growing more' Experienced with each successive pro-' duction, providing better ’entertainmentto others, and the players at the saine time thoroughly enjoying themselves. Only last Friday a one-act play,. ‘‘The Mistake,” was staged in a most efficient manner,- the: work of the cast add general stage effects reflecting great credit on the producer, Mrs.- J. Potter. The cast included Mesdames S. P. Buckrell, C. J. Williams, A. Davies, Miss G. Gulliver and Messrs. R. Wylie, R. Russell, J. Potter and G. Dobson. Besides this play, two humorous sketches were included on the dVening’s programme. “Repent at Leisure,” with Misses G. Gulliver and P. Barkla and Mr. J. Wrigley in the cast, Was entirely produced and staged by junior members of the club. This was among the first lone efforts of the juniors and was a distinct success. “Bridget O’Bride,” another small sketch by Mr. and Mrs. C. -T. Williams, was a finished piece of work and was' thoroughly appreciated by the audience.