THE . AMATEUR STAGE.

Waikato Times, Volume 114, Issue 19125, 9 December 1933, Page 16 (Supplement)

THE . AMATEUR STAGE.

Auckland Operatic Society. The Auokland Operatlo Society is making inquiries regarding “Veronique” for next season. Ex-Hamlltcnlan at Auckland. “Mrs. Pepys’ endeavours to keep pace with her chameleon spouse,” said the Auokland Star in referring to the production of “And So to Bed" by the Auckland Little Theatre Society “were admirably portrayed by Miss Nina Scott, who struok a quiet note of offended dignity in dealing with Samuel’s raffish friends, and showed a decided flair for real drama in domestic crises arising out of the suspected amours of her spouse." The Auckland Herald said that the acting honours of the piece went to Miss Scott. Wellington Repertory Theatre. Four performances of "Allce-Slt-by-the-Flre," by J. M. Barrie, were given by the Wellington Repertory Theatre this week, under the direction of Mr W. S. Wauchop. The cast was: Alice Vera Horton Richardson *. Edna Purdie The Colonel W. Sim Glnevra Imelda Meadows Fanny Phyllis Batten The .Nurse ....... Mrs L. Campbell Cosmo Alan Howard Amy * ..Hazel Wells Steve Thomas Anson Shakespeare In Open-air at Auokland. An open-air performance of “As You Like It" will be given by the Georgian Readers, under the direotion of Mr J. M. Clark, in Auckland In February. The proceeds will be for

the benefit of the British Drama League In Auckland. One of the most beautiful gardens In Remuera has been offered for the purpose, and a good cast has been chosen.

A strong orchestra will accompany the folk dancing and the Elizabethan costumes will be one of the features of the performance.

Auckland Catholic Repertory Society. The GatihO'llo Repertory Society commenced a three nights’ season of Jerome K. Jerome’s play, “The Soul of Nicholas Snyder," at Auokland last night. Mr Gaston Mervale Is the producer. Pantomime at Auokland. The pantomime “The Babes in the Wood" will be staged at the Regent Theatre, Auckland, at Christmas. Among the cast of 50 taking part will be Patriola Boyle, Joy Asquith, Rekanui Simeon, Ron Barrington, Sara Stackpoole, Yvonne Carter and Valda Payne. Mlokoy and Minnie Mouse will be among the attractions. Play In Churoh In Auokland. St. Thomas’ Ghurch, Freeman's Bay, which presented the well-known morality play “Everyman” last year, Intends to stage In the church hall on Deoember 19, 20 and 21 “The Coventry Nativity Play of the Company of Shearmen and Tailors." It is an extremely interesting work, presenting a simple and vivid recital of the events of the Nativity, from the Annunolatlon to the Flight into Egypt, . The vloar (Rev. A. Russell Allerton) .will supervise the production.

Other Activities. The pupils of Mrs Iris Olney gave a reoltal at Te Kultl on Wednesday night. lan Anderson, a Hamilton singer, assisted. * ■» * • The drama “Anniversary" and the one-aot oomedy “Between the Soup and the Savoury" were given reoently by the Tarikl Women’s Institute. * ■» # * An historical pageant depioting the spread of Christianity to Britain and New Zealand was presented at New Plymouth this week. * # • • “Summer Is a-comin’ In,” by Louis N. Parker, was staged this week by the Garrick Players at Lower Ilutt. Miss G. Holen Gard’nor was producer. * * * * "Flat to Let," an amusing comedy, was staged by the Wallingford Players at Havelock North. $ * * 9 “All the Cobbler,” "St. Valentine’s Day" (a street scene of 1S50), "On Dartmoor,” and “The Heart of a Clown" were staged In Wellington by the pupils of the Queen Margaret College. • # - * T( is expected that. £3i will be available as the result of the recent production of “Belly" by the Hokitika Amateur Operatic Society. A subcommittee has been appointed to report In February regarding the next production,

PAST AND IMPENDING PRODUCTIONS.

Wanganui Repertory Society. The Wanganui Repertory Theatre Is to stage “London Wall" in Palmerston North or New Plymouth.

An open-air production is being considered by the Society* When the next public performance Is given at the Repertory Theatre, the audience will have comfortable seats to sit upon, says a Wanganui paper. The chairs used up till now were a bit on the hard sidel Palmerston North Amateurs.

The Palmerston North Amateur Operatlo and Dramatio Society contemplates staging two “straight" productions, either drama or comedy early next year.. Preference will probably he given to comedy, and the choice may fall on “The Ten-Minute Alibi.” The producer will be Mr. F. Cousins, and tentative plans are that the productions should eventuate In February and April respectively. The Christchurch (Players.

Effective team work, ■ convincing portrayal and impressive acting made the presentation of three one-aot plays by the Chrlstohuroh Players, under the direction of. Mrs A. M. Spence-Clark, a very interesting and absorbing evening (says the Sun). Joan Webb as Helen, H. Lake as Peter, Vera Ardagh as Mrs Crust, and J. J. 'Flewellyn as Guy, gave very good representations of their parts in the first play, “Oh, Traitor Pines," a New Zealand story of unrelenting ana exacting farm lif© an exasperating/y materialists world. Mrs Spence-Clark gave an ex-

tremely realistic recital of J. M. Synge's “Riders to the Sea,” an Irish play. The various characters were very subtly differentiated by Mrs Spence-Clark. “Boccaccio’s Untold Tale,” by Harry Kemp, was a tale of a man who blinded himself because he had been told that his mistress had been shrivelled by the plague. J. JFlewellyn as the deceived Florlo gave to his part an exquisite touch of fine restraint. Vera Hutchinson as Olivia, the stricken mistress, was tragic, stately and sympathetic; and Peggy Maffy as the plotting and east-off Veonante was very proud, very 'disdainful, and a wonderful conspirator with evil.

Productions at Oamaru. At Oamaru this week the South Canterbury Drama League staged. “The Women Have Their Way," a two-act comedy. It was preoeded by an original oneact play, “The Long Christmas Dinner," which is taken from Hie story of “ The Bridge of San Luis Hey.” This play was the winner of the South Canterbury Dramatic League’s festival. Christohuroh Operatlo ©oolety. The Christchurch Amateur Operatic Society, at its annual meeting this week, decided to produce "Les Cloches de Corneville” in April or May. Mr G. M. Hall presided over an attendance of 50 members. Reviewing the year the chairman said that “The Runaway Girl" had been successful artistically and financially, but unfortunately “ The Messenger Boy " had been a financial loss to the Society. The balanoe-sbeet showed a small oredlt balance. Mr J. J. Dougall was elected president. A suggestion that the soolety should organise a choir of 25 voices, which oould give operatlo items for broadcasting, was referred to the incoming oxecutlve.