ON THE AMATEUR STAGE.

Waikato Times, Volume 115, Issue 19272, 2 June 1934, Page 16 (Supplement)

ON THE AMATEUR STAGE.

Ex-Hamlltonlan In London. News this week from Mr. W. H. Frye, formerly a prominent member of the Hamilton Operatic Society, indicates that he is still loving London, and is finding it full of interest and adventure. He states that the theatres are doing very good business.

“Michael and Mary” at Auckland. Miss Raie Robinson, the producer of the Garrick Dramatic Society, chose the following cast for “Michael and Mary,” to be produced shortly:— Michael J° e M ary Winifred Croshcr Romo Nancy AA ai 1 cn Violet . Leslie Napier Airs Tullivant Ruth Kirkhride Mrs Welby Kathleen Slenson David ... Norman Tibbutt p r i cc _ , Leslie Ryan Rev. Rowe J. A. Sharpe P.C. Guff Allan Warren Dr. Roberts Bruce Hutton The costumes are spectacular, ranging from the 1905 period to 193-i. Galsworthy Play at Wellington. “The Show,” by John Galsworthy, will be staged by the Wellington Repertory Theatre on June 13. The cast will include: — Anne Morecombo .. Mrs J. Hastings. Detective W. J. -Mountjoy. Colonel Roland Vivian Rhind. Lady Morecombe .... Ailsa Newton. Editor T. V. Anson. Daisy Odiham Miss Freeman. John Odiham H. A. Painter. Olliers include Misses Hilda Miles, F. Penny, P. Pilgrim, and Mr E. 11. Pope. Air Leo du Chateau will be the producer. Bernard Shaw Play at Hastings. The Hawke’s Bay Little Theatre Society announces for its opening performance next week a play by Bernard Shaw, “The Devil’s Disciple.” The llnal act is one of the most gripping that lias been seen on tiie stage and the question as to whether lhc° “Devil's Disciple,” Dick Dudgeon, will escape the gallows that threatens him holds the interest of the audience closely. \ competent cast will interpret Hie play, under Hie direction of Air A. E. Stanley Warwick.

Special attention lias been given to the question of costuming, the period being that of Ihe American War of Independence. Other Activities.

The Dunedin Operatic Society will commence a week's 'season of "Sally" this afternoon. Daphne Murdoch has the title role.

PAST AND IMPENDING PRODUCTIONS,

Paeroa Operatic Soolety. At the third annual meeting of th Paeroa Amateur Operatic Society Air E. V. Slyfleld presided over an attendance of 20 members.

Officers were elected as follows: Patron. Air A. AI. Samuel, ALP.; president, Atr E. V. Slyfleld; secretary, Air E. H. Bartley; musical director, Mr V. J. Innes. Opportunities for Amateurs. Afr Clem Dawe, interviewed in Auckland, said that so many small com r panies had been forced out of existence by the depression and motion picture contention that the recruiting grounds for the larger firms had practically disappeared: Consdtiuently increased interest was being taken in the work of repertory and amateur societies, and, with the slage regaining its popularity, there would he opportunities for young actors and aclrcsscs of ability in Australia and New Zealand.

“Count of Luxembourg” at Wolllngton The Wellington Operatic Society will stage “The Count of Luxembourg" today, under the direction of Mr Harison Cook. Tlic season will extend over five nights and two matinees. The ballets arc under the supervision of Edward and Dorothy Parlette, who also appear personally, together with Alan Howard, in specialty dances. The chorus is over 100 strong. Tlie orchestra is under the baton of Mr J. F. Woodward. Winners of Drama Festival. The Festival of Community Drama, conducted at Dunedin imder the auspices of the Otago branch of the British Drama League, concluded on Saturday night. At the conclusion the judge (Miss Elizabeth Blake) awarded an A certiflcale, the first ever won in New Zealand,- lo the Dunedin Repertory Society’s team for its outstanding presentation of Gordon Bottomley’s play, “Crunch;" an absorbing drama of the eleventh century Scotland. The oilier results were as follows: |J Certificates —Thespian Club (B) (“The Evening on Dartmoor”).

C Cerl ill cates —Thespian Club (A) (“Yimliealion”), Repertory Society (“Anniversary"), W.E.A. Drama Class A (“The Old Lady Shows Her Medals”), Palmerston Dramatic Club (“The Grand Chain’s Diamond"), Otago Women's Club (“Hippolytus”), Dunedin Repertory Society (“Thread of Scarlet"). li Ccrtillcalos—Bcnhnr Women’s Institute (“Wanted a Housekeeper"), W.E.A. Arts Class ("Dumb .jewels"), W.E.A. Drama Class B ("Followers’’), CoLumba Old Girls’ Association (“Postman’s Knock").