AMATEUR ACTIVITIES.

Waikato Times, Volume 117, Issue 19533, 23 March 1935, Page 17 (Supplement)

AMATEUR ACTIVITIES.

Hamilton PFaybox Opens Season. The Hamilton Playbox opened the season very successfully on Wednesday night with a. reading of “Fresh BTelds,” by Ivor Novello. The studio was .crowded, and the question of a larger ball will have to be considered. The president, Mr Hugh Morton, declared the season open, and welcomed members and visitors.

"Fresh Fields" is a very amusing comedy of manners, it will be remembered that when it was first produced in London there was an outcry from Australians regarding the manner In which their country-people were depicted, but really there is no reason for objection; the Australians in the play are crude certainly, but they are very amusing. “Fresh Fields” Is very “Novelloish" in its modern brand of humour, its lines being very ffank and witty. It was given an excellent interpretation by the following cast:—: Lady Mary ... 'Gady Hodgson Lady Lilian Maisie Hewetson Mrs Pigeon Mrs E. Marsh Una Pigeon Peggy Clapham Miss Swaine .... Mrs Clive Henry Lady Strawholme .. Mrs Zelda Fahey Tom Larcombe .. Lawrence Williams Ludlow Kenneth Eade The reading was followed by a very pleasant social hour. “A Runaway Girl” at Auokland. ■The Auckland Operatic Society’s production of “A .Runaway Girl,” •which was postponed at the end of last year, is to lake, place in April. Major F. Dampen is the producer. The Dunedin Playbox. “The Late Christopher Bean” was read by members of Dunedin Playbox last week, Mr Russell Wood directing. The cast included Lprna Anderson (as Gweny), Dulcie Hazelwood, Lucy Faulkner, Doris Watson, Kenneth Donaldson; Frank Lanyon, Leo Manning, James Walker and James Tannock.

•'Sally’' at Christchurch. The Christchurch Operatic Society will stage “Sally" from April 27 to May 4. Harison Cook, of Wellington, is acting as, producer, and left this week to take up rehearsals.

Ex-Hamiltonian In Dunedin. Mrs Garden—who, as Iza Duff, was prominent in amateur theatricals in Hamilton a few years ago—is a member of the Dunedin Playbox. Donnie Garratt, a sister of Hamilton’s clever amateur Roma 'Garratt, is leading lady of the Dunedin Playbox in some of its productions. .

Wellington Operatic Society. The Wellington Operatic and Theatrical Society has decided upon a revival of “The Belle of 'New York." Rehearsals will start immediately. “The Pelican” at Dunedin.

The Dunedin Repertory Society is :to stage “The 'Pelican," by Tennyson Jesse and H. M. Harwood, a drama based on the famous Russell divorce case. The play will he produced by Miss Bessie Thomson. The cast is as follows: — Sir John Ileriot .... Richard White Lady Beriol Mrs M. O’Sullivan Hermione Blundell .... Ina Macßae 'Cheriton Russell Napier 'Marcus Ileriot D. E. Dali Wanda Ileriot .... Jessie McLennan Paul Lauzun 'G. E. Moloney Anna .............. Elsie MoPeak Hobin Lester Moller "The Laughing Woman at Wellington. The cast'of the Wellington Repertory Theatre’s production of “The ! Laughing Woman," George Daviot s i biographical play, includes Mrs ( John 1 Hastings, E. W. L. Bullot, Nila Hammond, R. C. Morpeth, Ruth Skeiman, ! Evelyn Johnston, G. M. Williams, Giri leen Griffiths, E. S. Itarrowell, G. H. lA. Swan. Coraiic Smylhson, Phylis 1 Batten, Dr. S. E. Crawford, Mrs Vera ! Horton, Annette Strickand, Lily SilverI stone, Belly Tail, Irene Spidy, T. V. Anson. .Mrs S. Tingey, V. G. Bhind, G. H. Powles, Pauline Shollander, George Cooper, '.Mrs G. G. Boycs, Mrs Warren Hicks. Kirsty Page, iris Westrupp, i Jcanie Glimic, and Joy Hodgson. | Leo du Chateau will direct the production. j ~