AMATEUR DRAMA

Taranaki Daily News, 17 August 1935, Page 16 (Supplement)

AMATEUR DRAMA

ACTIVITIES IN COUNTRY

FESTIVALS EVERYWHERE.

HAWERA’S MANY ENTRIES.

(By

“Haromi.”)

Following the presentation of J. B. Priestley’s three-act comedy the Roundabout” by the New Plymouth Little Theatre players at Stratford last week the executive of the Stratford branch of the B.D.L. entertained the New Plymouth producer, secretary and players and their assistants at a happy supper party. Other than the gues from New Plymouth, who were welcomed by the president, Mr. A. H. K. Amess and Mrs. Amess, were Mr. and Mrs W. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Von Stunner, Mesdames E. H. Young, F. P. Uniacke and R- Tyrer and Misses Cartwright, Beale and A. and C. Uniacke. . A “reading and acting” evening is being arranged by a group of Stratford enthusiasts to be held shortly, when , a burlesque by some local artists, promising excellent entertainment, will be stsged. Following the recent festival Mrs. D. Steven entertained the producers of the festival entries prior to Mr. Goodwins departure, giving them an opportunity of meeting him and discussing points of interest on lighting, stagecraft, .make-up and production, on which points this very competent adjudicator, producer and artist gave valuable hints and advice, illuminated in many instances by demonstrations. All were pleased by his personality and. his knowledge of art in .many forms. ... , . Various Stratford groups, have decided on staging an evening. of one-act plays at New Plymouth, this evening of drama being arranged for Wednesday .next. - Hawera B.D.L.

The South Taranaki executive proudly reports the acceptance of a further entry for the festival next month, in addition to the list of “probables” mentioned in Amateur Draina of July 27, and the two Hawera junior play-reading circle entries. The entry is “Love in An Ape .House,” from the Whakamara Social Club, another entirely new group to enter festival fields. There is also a rumour current of the possibility of an experienced all-male cast entering a play, and still another new group considering very seriously the entry, of an interesting, well-written play with an entirely female cast (seven of them!). With the closing date for entries still over three weeks off the keenness of the various groups is causing no small stir in dramatic circles. If all “probable ’ entries freely spoken of so far eventuate the festival committee will find itself faced with the pleasurable business of extending the festival or splitting it into junior and senior sections, to be held separately, as it is possible there may be 17 entries to cope with. The choice of plays in rehearsal is setting as high a standard, and as varied a type of work as could be desired. Who says South Taranaki is not “dramaminded?”

Waverley Drama Circle. It is sad that'the Waverley Drama Circle has more or less disbanded this year. However, there are still several keen ones sufficiently active to produce small sketches for local entertainments, so “while there’s life there’s hope,” and Waverley may yet be represented at the September festival. z Calendar of W.I. Festivals.

Taking into consideration the general lack of experienced performers in this type of work, and the handicap of having no male players (women in some instances making splendid attempts to act as males, owing to the supply of plays with all-women casts being very limited), the drama branch of institute work is establishing a definite place for itself in the community, and the standard of both the acting and the chosen work is showing a wonderful and praiseworthy improvement. One thing these women have is enthusiasm, and with that, a purpose in view, and perseverence, success will soon follow. But it is evident that the enjoyment of the work—the sheer love of it—is the star to which their waggon is hitched, and in this they can show many a more experienced group some points worth noting. Waitara.

The Waitara one-night festival was held last week, a well-filled hall greeting the performers. Institutes represented were Motunui, Waitara, Tikorangi and Huirangi, and the works staged (with producers names in brackets) were: “Up Against Mj-s. Cooper” (Mrs. Jonas),

“Quite a Nice Cat” (Mr. Appleby), “Sinking” (Mrs. 1 R. J.'Morey) and “Bill Breaks Out” (Miss Simpson). Mrs. M. Uniacke, Stratford, was the adjudicator, and institute drama enthusiasts feel that her lucid criticisms will help considerably with future productions. The members of casts, officials and adjudicator were afterwards entertained at supper by the festival committee. Inglewood Plays.

The staging of a two-night festival of drama at Inglewood on Monday and Tuesday by the Taranaki Federation of the Women’s Institute, and the splendid attendance on both nights hotwithstand* ing adverse weather, were sufficient testimony of the enthusiasm of members and the public generally in this branch of institute interest. The plays produced were varied in type and showed excellent choice and ambition to try the best. Probably the most ambitious was “Reunited” by the Norfolk Institute (and produced by Mrs. Roy croft), and The Cricket On the Hearth,” the well-known Dickens’ story, also by a Norfolk Institute group, and produced by v Mesdames L. and W. Brown. It is good to see these better works being tackled, as even should they fall short of success the players and producer are so much richer by the experience. Other plays presented were “The Bride” by the Kaimata Institute, “A Neighbourly Bargain” (another production of the Norfolk 'lnstitute), and “Sinking” (presented by Tikorangi), and a Stratford presentation of Mr. A. H. R. Amess’ play play “On The Mountain” concluded the festival. . . • ' It was evident that much work had been put into the various productions, and everyone interested felt that apart from the thorough enjoyment experienced, they had gained much in confidence, diction, deportment and interpretation and had found in this expression a pleasurable way of entertaining others. The comments of the adjudicator, Mrs. Uniacke, were concise and in all cases most helpful. The Norfolk institute seems not only rich in talent but also in energy and enthusiasm-

Normanby. Turi-town, Tawhiti and Normanby Institutes .will be represented at this Women’s Institute festival which is to be held at Normanby on Wednesday evening next, and the plays to be presented are “Cats Claws," produced by Mrs. W. G. Strange, with Mesdames G. Villars, Muir and Miss D. Thomas in the cast; “At the Ribbon Counter,” produced by Mrs. J. C. Robb, with Misses Pearl Gane, Chloris Stewart and Vera Allen in the cast, and “Aunt Penelope,” produced by Miss Easton, with Mrs. Joyce and Misses M. Whitelock, T. Wyatt, J. Easton, P. Moller and E. Ogle in the cast. The programme will be concluded by a presentation of “Tire Cricket on the Hearth" by the Norfolk Institute Drama Circle. Kaponga Festival. On Thursday next at the Kaponga town hall a festival of drama will be conducted under the auspices of the Women’s Institute, when Mangatoki. Kaponga, Riverlea, RaWhitiroa and Opunake Institutes will be presenting one-act plays. Mrs. Uniacke will act as adjudicator and critic. Aim of B.D.L. and Festivals. It would seem by this tremendous interest throughout the country districts that some of the aims and ideals Of the British Drama League are steadily being realised—that is. to assist in the development of the art of the amateur theatre, and to promote a right relation between drama and the life of the community, and especially to raise the standard of productions among amateur groups by affording them the opportunity of receiving criticism from an impartial and competent adjudicator, with the addition of testing their work before a wider and more critical public; to promote a high standard of dramatic appreciation among audiences and to encourage the practise of the art of expression and mime in an educative, entertaining, satisfying and progressive way among amateurs, for the enjoyment and betterment of both performers and public.