BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 221, 18 September 1934, Page 7

BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE

SECOND FESTIVAL OPENS A SUCCESSFUL NIGHT. The second festival organised by the British Drama League, (Wanganui District Area) opened at the Repertory Theatre last evening when four one-act plays wore enacted. Prior to the commencement of the programme, he presdent of the Wanganui Society (Mr. H. C. Jenkins) introduced the adjudicator, Air. Leo du I Ghatoau, of Wellington, to the audience and the players. The plays were well chosen, and the adjudicator able to give to each competing team some very helpful suggestions and criticism. Those teams which were working under disadvantages were encouraged and recommended to secure competent advice on the subject of stage management. The stage was in the hands of Mr. 'J Paul Latham and Mr. E. Paqualin. Westmere Women’s Institute A team v presented “Saturday Night,” by Philip Johnson. Jane Bryce, Jean Lambert; Jim Bryce, James Currie; Mrs. Vallance, Eleanor Remington; 1' Bert, Warfield Lambert. Scene: A “ kitchen, in slum area of aji industrial town. Producer; Warfield Lambert. I Judge’s Comment: A good play, and I®strongly acted in parts. Good comedy included and well handled. League of Nations Drama Circle |« presented “Where Love Is, God Is,” N founded on a story by Tolstoy. Martin, c (an old cobbler), Mr. E. A. Watkin; J Ivan, (an old friend of Martin’s), Mr. 9 S Duffy; Stephan, (a snow-sweeper), 9 Mr. A. Lewis; A soldier’s wife, Mrs. ® Clinkard; An apple woman, Miss V. n Madeley; boy, John Johnston; a voice, Mrs. E. A. Watkin. Epilogue. Act 1, three months later; Act 2, early next morning; prologue, evening of same day. Producer, Mr. E. A. Watkin. u This is a powerful play which reveals d( the tremendous idealism of Tolstoy. The team was fairly strong, the main character, Martin, being well sustained, c Judge’s Comment: The play is beyond the actors in this case. In fact h ‘ the play is too good. It deserves more attention to detail. p Kaitoke Women’s Institute presented D “The Family Group.” Grandma, Miss c P. Anderson; Em’ly, Miss M. Pearson-, " Ede, Miss 11. Anderson; Father. Mr. L. 9 Anderson, Aunt Maria, Miss M. Scott; “ Photographer, Mr. N. Davidson. Scene: « Photographer’s studio. Producer, Miss Dickson. A good play with plenty of oppor- F tunitics for pantomime. R Judge’s Comment: To be congratulated on effort. The team should secure the advice of one experienced in stage craft. d Fordell Women’s Institute presented t« “There is no Return,” by Eric Brad- dl well. Phillip Forrester, K. L. Bruce; Anne, his wife, Mrs. G. Whillans; Judith, Gerald and Roddy (his chil- 11 dren), Miss ID. McGovern. J. Lloyd, J. U Mcßeth Scene: Living room of the cr Forresters. Producer, Mrs. K. L. 4. Bruce. An intensely dramatic play with N good contrasts. p Judge’s Comment: An excellent ef- "" fort. Quite a good play. Contrasts of characters needs to be better appreed- 0 atod and revealed. n — ■ c