TEAMS CHOSEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLII, Issue 20513, 3 September 1936, Page 6

TEAMS CHOSEN

APPEAL OF COMMUNITY DRAMA ELIMINATION FINAL IN TIMARU In the Theatre Royal last evening, before a large and appreciative audience including many enthusiasts from other centres, the South Island elimination final of community drama was held. Tire festival was held under the auspices of the New Zealand Branch of the British Drama League, and two teams from last night are to proceed to Dunedin to take part in the National Final, at which one team representing the two grouped areas in the North Island, will compete with the South Island teams for national honours. The judge last night was Mr Victor Lloyd, of Wellington. The four plays presented last night represented the North Canterbury, South Canterbury and Dunedin areas, having been selected by the judges tn area festivals to participate in the South Island elimination final. The general presentation of the plays reached a high standard and revealed the splendid progress ■ community drama is making in New Zealand. Special praise ought to be accorded the “back stage” staff for the general efflcicency of their work. M The Twelve Pound Look ” The first play to be presented was that well known one of J. M. Barrie’s, “The Twelve Pound Look” given by the Dunedin Repertory “C” team. The scene was the snuggery of Sir Harry Sims’ house in Kensington, where he and Lady Sims were rehearsing the ceremony of receiving the honour of knighthood. This was to take place in a few days and now just when everything seemed superlatively right all went wrong. It was a woman in the person of Kate who did the mischief. She came to him in his great hour and told him she did not admire him. Sir Harry turned her out of his house, and was soon himself again, but it spoilt the morning for him. The characters were Sir Harry Sims, Lady Sims, Tombs (the butler), and Fate. This play, which was placed equal first in Dunedin with “The Forest of Happy Dreams,” was commendabiy presented, and' although somewhat lacking in finish, the work of the players carried fair conviction. The lines were well spoken, although Lady Sims was perhaps a little unconvincing. The role of Kate was certainly given the most natural interpretation, but the play did not seem to come across with sufficient definiteness.. “The 300th Performance” Next on the programme was Stephen Barnett’s “The 300th Performance” presented by the Wesley Players, Timaru. The curtain rose on the closing scene of the 300th performance of a tragedy drama which ends in the suicide of the demented husband. It was played to an unseen audience in the wings and the remaining action took place after this audience had left the theatre. It was a study in subconscious influences and showed how the playing of certain unpleasant parts day after day for so long a neriod had affected the actors, especially Sir Julian Rossiter and his wife, Lady Viola Rossiter, who played the leading roles. An atmosphere of uneasiness has surrounde ’ the whole cast, and Sir Julian and Lady Rossiter were influenced to such an extent that tragedy almost befell them. The others were aware of this and it was only narrowly averted. The characters were: Sir Julian Rossiter (Paul), Lady Rossiter (Delia), Muriel, L"”!’" and Maud (other members of the cast), Harry (Sir Julian’s dresser), two stage hands, Tony Kingscote and Daphne Kingscote. This play made very great demands on the players, and was convincingly presented. Quite the right atmosphere was created, and the situations were convincingly built up. The lines were clearly spoken and the points were well made. The stage presentation was good and the play was taken through with nice variation of tempo. “The Bear” The third play was “The Bear” (Anton Tchehov) presented by the Canterbury College Drama Society. Popova, a young Russian widow was in deep and theatrical mourning for her h shand. She had shut herself within four walls and vowed never to cease to wear mourning, or to see the light of the sun. Smirnov (The Bear) burst in upon her to collect a debt, and Popova resented his intrusion. They quarrelled violently and decided to fight it out, Popova retiring to fetch her husband’s pistols. Smirnov was overcome by admiration of her courage, and when she returned, refused to fight, telling her that he loves her. Popova still very angry, wanted to fight, but Smirnov took her in his arms, hetanger disappeared, and the curtain fell on a prolonged embrace. The characters were: Elena Ivanovna Popova, Luka (her footman), Grigory Stepanovitch Smirnov, Dasha (coachman) and Pelageya (gardener). This play was convincingly presented, so far as the main characters were concerned, but the spoken lines were monopolised by three players; indeed, the smallness of the cast made it imperative that outstanding work should be done by the players. One of the three players was lacking in conviction. There was little team work

and the play really resolved itself into an oral duel between the ‘Bear” and the widow. Atmosphere was created and the situations were effectively built up. “The Forest of Happy Dreams” “The Forest of Happy Dreams” byEdgar Wallace, was the last presentation, being staged by the Dunedin Players. This play, characterised by strong originality and imaginative power, was set in an African forest. A sick man was dying in the forest of N’Bolimi, and during his delirium his “spirit” was separated from his “body” and some of his past life came before him. The last minute arrival of the girl who still loved him. saved his life. The characters were: Obiboo, Dick, Sir Hugh, Linden, Elada, Commissioner Sanders, Betty Linden, Dr Ferguson and natives. Obviously this was the popular choice as the best presentation of the evening. Here was team work, atmosphere, wellspoken lines, purposeful grouping, and effective lighting. The illusion was given a rare touch of dramatisation. The work of the players, in the main, carried conviction, and a suggestion of the mysteriousness of the native cult breathed throughout the play.