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The Cast |
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|
John Daly |
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Richard Baines |
| Directed by Eliner Rutherford | ||
| Harrogate Drama Festival ended at the Royal Hall on Saturday night
on a note of triumph for Harrogate. Against strong opposition from
three counties local teams won all three trophies for the best plays
and provided three of the four best individual performers in the week's
festival. Mr, Alex Reeve, director of productions at the Theatre Royal, Northampton, the adjudicator, placed the "clever and accomplished performance" of Harrogate Dramatic Society in "Waters Of The Moon" at the top of the full-length plays section. Leeds Art Centre were runners-up with "Don't Listen Ladies" and Otley Little Theatre third with "Pink String and Sealing Wax". Tuesday's presentation of "Waters Of The Moon" by Harrogate Dramatic Society was described by Mr. Reeve as "clever and accomplished". He said: "It is a very happy occasion for me because I have shared your enjoyment of this clever company's performance." It was an extremely difficult play to produce. And it had been extremely well produced. His one outstanding criticism was that it suffered throughout from too much light. It would have helped the performance enormously if there had been more "atmosphere" in the lighting. "Don't light the top of your set." Set Mr. Reeve, adding: "That is the only major criticism I've got." Some of the players he thought, a "little too vigorous in attack." He would have preferred a "steadier" opening to establish the atmosphere. The party scene, the best in the play, was well handled. A s for individual players, Richard Baines gave a sensitive portrayal although rather stiff in his movements. The part of Evelyn Daley was extremely well played by Rae Whitaker. "The whole performance was sensitive and deeply moving." Said Mr. Reeve. "One really believed she was that character." Joan Hammond's performance had a "lovely vocal quality.". Edward W. Robinson had a good sense of character as the retired colonel, and was entirely convincing. As Mrs. Ashworth, Kay Bolam had given an extremely amusing comedy character study. Mollie Moorhouse, who played the play's dominant personality Helen Lancaster, was obviously and accomplished artists with a fine sense of comedy timing. The whole performance was extremely good and in fact, Mr. Reeve was "a little bothered" at being reminded of Dame Edith Evans in the part. After commenting favourably on the other supporting players, Iorwerth Roberts, Mary Cotton, Donald Seed, and Joan Chamley, the adjudicator congratulated the entire company on having provided "a highly entertaining evening" |
