DRAMA FESTIVAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 206, 31 July 1937, Page 13

DRAMA FESTIVAL.

POHANGINA TEAM WINS. Tlie drama festival conducted by the North Wellington Federation of Women’s Institutes concluded in the Empire Hall last night, when the winning teams were announced. The attendance was so large that extra seating accommodation had to be provided, demonstrating the keen interest aroused. The judge, Miss Elizabeth Loe, tutor to the British Drama League (N< nv Zealand branch), declared Pohangina first in the festival as wed as in the section for mixed teams with “King’s Son, Churl’s Son,” and Rangiotu was second with “And Now the_Journey.” In the all-women team seciion Te Arakura, in “A Marriage Has Been Disarranged.” and Milson, in “The Person Responsible,” were placed equal, Miss Loe commenting that she had found it impossible to separate these two plays, which were entirely different in character. Raigiotu was second with “The Great Dark.”

The cups were presented by the president of the federation. Miss M. Grant. Airs S. T. Bristow (hon. producer) for the Little Theatre Society) was the producer for Poliangini’s play, and Airs Whisker and Aliss Babefte Rodgers produced the winning women’s teams. In a short speech before announcing the results of the festival, Aliss Loe pointed out that in making her criticisms at the conclusion of each play she had criticised tile dramatic work and its quality and not the persons themselves. A delightful standard of work had been attained, with a pleasing choice of plays. The audience should have enjoyed the three evenings, as there had been a great deal of definitely good and interesting work.

Eleven of the IB plays presented were awarded certificates as follow : D certificates.—-Aokautere in “The Signal” ; Te Arakura, “The AVaxen Man”; Foxton, “The Trial Scene”; Linton, “Romany Road”; and Alilson “Black Night.”

C certificates.—Te Araktira, “A Alarriage Lias Been Disarranged”; Rangintu, “And Now the Journey”; also “The Great Dark” ; and Alilson, “The Person Responsible.” B certificate. —Pohangina in “King’s Son, Churl’s Son.”

Last night’s plays were as follow: —- Linton, “Romany Road” (Harold Brighouse).—Cast: Mr Gootch (Lord Ranacre), Mr Bowler (Sir Rufus). Mr Terry (Jericho Borzlon). Mr Higlit (Jaikes), Mr Lynch (Robin). Miss Gretton (Jessamine), Mrs Currin (Dame Margit), Miss Hallman (Audrey), Miss Tollman (Rhona), Misses Currin, Heard and Rix (milkmaids). Producer: Blanche Harrison. Cheltenham, “Sing a Song of Sixpence” (Muriel and Sydney Box). — Cast: Mrs A. J. Humphreys (Mrs Persimmon), Miss Elaine Short (Angela, her daughter). Mrs A. E. Palmer (Mrs Romaine), Mrs D. Pryde (Josephine, her daughter), Mrs S. McDowall (Mrs Nelson), Mrs Mills (Edith, the maid). Producer: Mrs Kenneth Ross. Pohangina, “King’s Son, Churl's Son” (Jane Cran). —Cast: Miss J. Sinclair (Meg), Mrs J. Moar (Dickon). Mr C. Thomson (the Stranger), Mrs Orgias (Hopestill). Producer: Mrs S. T. Bristow. Associate producer: Mrs Moar.