WITH THE AMATEURS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20248, 17 July 1937, Page 17 (Supplement)

WITH THE AMATEURS.

"Aren’t We All?” for Hamilton. “ Aren’t We All?” one of the smartest modern comedies written, filled with witty dialogue and diverting situations, has been chosen by the Hamilton Playbox as its first stage production this season, and has gone into rehearsal under the direction of Mr. A. E. Manning. The following cast has been chosen: — Margot Miss- Unlaoke Lady Frlnton Mrs. A. Fahey Angela Miss Bunker Kitty Mrs. Walker Willie Mr. Greer Lord Grenham Mr. F. Jackson The Vicar Mr. D. Reid Willocks Mr M. Burdis Morton Mr. H. J. Ferguson Hamilton Oporatlo Society’s Producer. Mr Walter George, who will produce “Rio Rita” for the Hamilton (Operatic Society, has had a little company of 10 players in rehearsal for a presentation produced in the IYA studio, on Monday. It was the first episode of a dramatic serial play, “A Thief’s Romance.” “ Love on the Dole ” In Hamilton. “ Love on the Dole,” presented by the Hamilton Playbox on Wednesday night, was one of the best readings of the season, and held the close interest of the audience throughout. It is a tense play, showing the tragedy of the lives of those who were unable to get work during the depression—their desire for beauty and happiness and their hopeless fight against soul-destroying conditions. The readers, under the direction of Mr A. P. Nelson, did very fine work, and the lessons and humour of the play were put over very convincingly. The cast was as follows: —Sally, Miss Joan Parkhouse; Mrs Hardcastle, Mrs E. Marsh; Ellen, Miss Marjorie Houghton; Mrs Jike, Mrs Bateman; Mrs Bull, Mrs H. Curling; Mrs Dorbell, Miss Barlow; Mr Hardcastle, Mr W. Blakeway; Larry Meath, Mr J. E. Ewart; Harry Hardcastle, Mr David Reid; Charlie, Mr J. Reidy; Sam Grundy, Mr E. K. Brown; policeman, Mr Blunt. “ Rio Rita ” At Palmerston NorthThe Palmerston North Operatic Society will commence rehearsals of “ Rio Rita ” next week. The season will extend over five nights, commencing on October 12. Invercargill Repertory Society. Two unusual one-aot plays—“Mr Sampson," a domestic comedy, and “Created,” a thriller of the Frankenstein type—were presented by the Invercargill Repertory Society at Its last meeting. “ Midnight Follies ” In Hamilton. “ The Midnight Follies.” to be staged in Hamilton in tlie near future, will he a night of revelry and gaiety. “ Treasure Island ” and “ Rainbow on the River” are two of the effective scenes, and embrace many of the latest song hits and graceful dancing. • The Midnight Ftdl.es” is the outcome of much thought on the. part <>f its producer. Miss Mavis LaurenSuccess of “Solly” In Auckland. Of the first performance of “Sally” by the Auckland Operatic Society, an "A sterling production from whatever angle it is judged, a large audience acclaimed its success demonstratively. “Bettina Edwards gave a dainty and charming performance in the title role, and although her voice is light, her work lias such finish, her stage personality is so essentially feminine, and her dancing so remarkably good, that any slight weakness in her song numers did not appear to matter much.” “Douglas Stark, as Constantine, a deposed Grand Duke of the mythical kingdom of Czcchogovina, who earns fun throughout. ’ 1 llSUle ut Ballet Mistress for " Rio Rita.” Miss Mavis Laurenson has been appointed ballet mistress to the Hamilton Operatic Society. Under tier direction a strong ballet is at work, and It is expected that the dances will lie a feature of “ Rio Rita.” Drama League Activities. "The First Mrs. Fraser" was read at Stratfm-d by the Hawera Drama League this week. The drama festival of the Central Taranaki Area of the British Drama League will take place at Stratford next month, with Paul Latham, ot Wanganui, as adjudicator. Professor James Shelley will act as adjudicator at the community drama festival to be held al Wellington from July 28 lo 81. The North Island semi-finals or ih,> British Drama League will be held at CCoutinued lu next column.)