DRAMA FESTIVAL

Waipukurau Press, Volume XXX, Issue 162, 18 July 1935, Page 5

DRAMA FESTIVAL

By Women’s Institutes HELD AT TAKAPAU EIGHT PLAYS PRESENTED Yesterday afternoon and evening there was held at Takapau the fourth Annual Drama Festival conducted by the Southern Hawke’s Bay Federation of Women’s Institutes. «

The function was well attended at both .sessions and provided excellent entertainment.

Mrs W. A. Whitlock, of Hastings, who acted as judge, complimented the players on their efforts and offered much helpful advice, pointing out the things ito guard against. Her criticism was kindly given and should result in better performances at the next festival. She said that she would have liked to have seen, in some instances, a better standard of play, but added that she realised ithe difficulty in choosing suitable plays. Mrs Whitlock concluded her remarks by stating that she considered the festival thoroughly successful and enjoyable in every way.

Tho firstt) prize was awarded to the Wallingford team' for a very sterling production of 'a charming play “The Spinsters of Lush.” Mrs Whitlock in presenting the silver cup (donated by Mrs R. Tod) to the producer, Mrs P. Canning, congratulated her on the players’ success. The following Institutes sent teams to compete, the names of the plays and those taking part being:— Ormondvi'He Institute: “Widows”; Mesdames Anderson, Benbow, and Miss Brabston.

Waipawa: “Mrs Willis’ Will”; Mesdames Bi'bby, Preston, Pepperell. McGregor and Walker. Waipukurau: “World Without End”; Mesdames Rush, Pender, Young, Clarke, Sharpin, Tait and Meredith.

Wallingford: "The Spinsters of Lush”; Mesdames P. Canning, J. Byrne and Whitehead, Misses M. Wilson, R. Hobson, and Wilder. Takapau: "Amelia. Obliges’’; Misses S. Thomsen, N. Drake, D. Craig, F. McMillan, F. Vesty, M. Askew, and Messrs V. Vaughan and A. Drake. Waipawa: "Packing"; Mesdames McGregor and Pepperell and Air Pepperell. Matamau-Tataromoa-: "Waiting for the Bus”; Mesdames Aston,, Drew, McCauley, McDonald, Jackson, Fife, Vella, SWortland and Misses Smith, Corbishley, Murphy and Lines. O'tane: "Cut, to Leg’’; Mesdames Harbottle and Davis, Messrs McDougall, and Davis. The first three plays were staged in the afternoon and the others in the evening. At the conclusion of the afternoon session Mrs Tait, of Waipukurau, gave two recitations and Mrs CoW/ins played the .pianio for a short community sing.

Mrs R. Tod, the president of the Federation, presided at both sessions and at the conclusion thanked all who had assisted in making the function a success, making special mention of the Takapau Institute for the special appointments and hospitality extended to the visitors.

'• ’’JLW The proceedings closed with the National Anthem.