WITH THE AMATEURS

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20917, 23 September 1939, Page 15 (Supplement)

WITH THE AMATEURS

Hamilton Operatic Society The decision of the Hamilton Oper- I atic Society to devote the nett pro- i ceeds of its production of “ A Runa- , way Girl ” to -patriotic funds is to be ■ commended. Rehearsals have been proceeding very satisfactorily, and wilh the arrival next Monday of the producer, Mrs E. Mcßeath, who has just produced “ The Ciugalee ” successfully at Gisborne, the work of principals, chorus and ballet will be co-ordinated. Mr Stanley James is music director. “ A Runaway Girl ” tells a romantic and amusing story, and the music is tuneful. The week’s season, which will commence on Monday, October 30, should be a great success. Winners of Wellington Drama Festival The final plays in the annual festival of the Wellington area of the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League were presented on Monday night, and the decision of the adjudicator (Professor James Shelley) was eagerly awaited by the large audience. Prolonged applause greeted the announcement that the Newlands Women’s Institute had won the competition with its presentation of Florence Howell’s play, “Jane Wogan.” On the whole, said Professor Shelley, the plays this year had been very good, and although several of them could easily have been brought up to a higher standard, they showed very careful work and skilful preparation. The most pleasing feature was the evidence of real endeavour and careful work. One could excuse crudities, and even a lack of stage technique, which came only from years of practice, but one could not excuse slovenly work. Advice *to Amateurs “ I think of all the types of play old-fashioned farce is the most difficult to do, and unfortunately it is the most frequent type chosen,” said Professor Shelley, who acted as judge as the Wellington Drama League festival. Tragedy is very much easier. In old fashion there has to be that something which gives it the quality of a work of art. The main mistake of this production has been the attempt to make too much of everything, to get too much out of every line, every joke, and the play instead of flowing jerks along on one foot. That fault arises out of the very earnestness of the players.” About ten times as much work as was necessary had been put into the play.

! Anti-Hitler Play for Hamilton ! A year or so ago ’Clifford Odets’ play, i “ Till* the Day I Die.” was not allowed 1 to be staged *in Sydney because it was ' considered that its indictment of the ! Nazi regime in Germany might give ( offence. Today the world has learned a lot more of Herr Hitler and realises I that Mr Odets has not written too , strongly. This week I spent a very stimulating might at a rehearsal of “ Till the ; Day I die,” by the People's Theatre at | Frankton, a band of earnest, enthusiasi tic people under the direction of Mr S. Cook, who are rehearsing this striking play for production at the Winter Show Hall, Hamilton, for three nights ! early next month. I It was good to find a ploy dealing ! with a vital, modern problem, yet thori oughly entertaining. One gets so , j tired of ihc “pretty-pretty” romantic type of play that means little if anything in relation to life. “Till the Day I Die ” is right up to the minute; it presents Nazism as it is, stilling all initiative and beauty and showing the brutality of the regime that menaces l the world. I The players of the People’s Theatre ’ ' are doing excellent work, and the pro--1 , uuction should be very impressive. Pantomime in Hamilton I Miss Ailsa Docherty will present ' her pupils in a pantomime, “ A Woodland Romance,” in Hamilton, in the near future. Woodland flowers, but--1 terflies, fairies and rabbits will enter- ' tain in the latest song hits, toe, tap and operatic dances. ' ; Some very amusing and spectacular scenes will be included in the panto- , mime. Napier Repertory Players i ■ “ Nine Till Six,” the well-known comedy-drama, is in rehearsal by the Napier Repertory Players. Elizabeth Loe will be the producer. “ The Cingalee ” at Gisborne Of the production of “ The Cingalec,” by the Gisborne Operatic Society this week, a Gisborne paper said: Produced for the first time in Gis--borne, the light opera, “ The Cingalee,” fulfilled the expectations of a large audience, and added success to a creditable list already established by the Gisborne Operatic Society. Full of colour and abounding in tuneful melodies, the play was performed with distinction. In every detail the performance was a credit to Mrs E. Mcßeath, the producer, whose painstaking work had its due reward in the success of the initial presentation. i Mrs Mcßeath comes lo Hamilton next week.