WAIHI DRAMATIC SOCIETY

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XLIX, Issue 9730, 14 August 1950, Page 2

WAIHI DRAMATIC SOCIETY

THREE ONE-ACT PLAYS WELL PRESENTED A worthwhile effort made by a number of local residents interested in dramatic work, resulted in the presentation of three one-act plays at St. James’ Hall on Thursday. The plays were "The Ancestors,” by Mary Scott, played by Mrs R. Clark, Glen and Jane Menhennet; “Mr Hunter,” a thriller by S. Ready, acted by Anne Pilcington, Jocelyn Wilson, Molly O’Brien, Glen Menhennet, Shirley McDermott and Matilda Nola; and “The Inner Man,” a comedy by H. Brighouse, acted by Jack Giddens, Daphne Mason, Anne Pilkington, Hugh Rintoul and Shirley McDermott. The evening was a success and should encourage members of the society to continue to function as a cultural organisation in spite of difficulties. The 120 in the audience followed the fate of the six women in the thriller, “Mr Hunter,” with interest once the Btory got under way. The six found themselves locked in a lonely farmhouse in which was gathered evidence of the murder of one of their former associates, and as this evidence incriminated those present, the tension was heightened until the perpertrator of the crime confessed. It would be difficult to suggest that any particular character dominated in this play since one of the features of the performance was the manner in which all worked easily together and moved quickly in order to build up the mystery, and towards the end Shirley McDermott, making the most of her part, helped to create the illusion of impending tragedy. When everyone was well worked up the lights went out and a rather dim spotlight revealed the hand and arm of one of the six women confession to the murder, the audience, however, could not be sure which one. In ‘ The Ancestors,” a story of earlier life in New Zealand, Mrs R. Clark piayed her part with quiet charm while Jane Menhennet, called on at 12 hours' notice to learn a sizeable part, gave a remarkably good performance for one of her age. A pleasant comedy followed the thriller, built on the simple story of domestic happiness strained by the failure of the newly-married wife (Mrs D. Mason) to cook well enough for her exacting farmer husband (Mr J. Giddens). The quarrel might have become a tragedy had the wiles of the village gossip (Miss McDermott) had their effect upon the husband, but commonsense and chance rescued both from a worse fate. The fact that there were fewer people acting on the stage than in “Mr Hunter” allowed the husband room for vigorous movement with which to emphasise his husbandly advice. His wife countered by being quiet and firm and then, having outfaced the village gossip, forgave her husband his criticism. This simpe drama, nicely acted, ended a pleasant evening.