One-act Play Festival (Press, 29 August 1981)

The New Zealand Theatre Federation held its annual one-act play festival at Wharenui School on the evenings of August 28 and 29, 1981. This event showcases various entries from around New Zealand, with local festivals leading up to divisional competitions to select finalists. This year, the South Island divisional competition featured five productions. One of the plays presented was “The Madness of Lady Bright” by Lanford Wilson, performed by the Riccarton Players. The play explores the decline of a lonely and frustrated aging homosexual, portrayed by Nic Farrar in a demanding lead role. While Farrar demonstrated potential with his performance, the challenging nature of the role highlighted his youth, resulting in a portrayal that struggled to fully convey the character's emotional depth. Supportive shadow characters, played by Vivienne Thomas and Terry Upston, contributed to the play's intensity, although their inconsistent American accents detracted from their performances. Director Douglas Clarke's innovative use of lighting and sound added an adventurous element to the production. Another piece featured was “A Slight Ache” by Harold Pinter, directed by Pat Dolamore for the Westport Community Players. The play revolves around a couple, Flora and Edward, and depicts the peculiar moments of their lives during the longest day of the year. Brian Lawrence portrayed Edward with charm, effectively invoking humour, though his pacing became monotonous as the play progressed. Sue Lawrence's portrayal of Flora improved throughout the performance but could have benefitted from a stronger initial characterisation to enhance later developments. The decision to mime a match seller, a central point of intrigue in the play, was an interesting choice that added ambiguity to the interpretation for the audience. The results from the divisional semi-finals will determine three plays that advance to the final competition, which is set to take place in Paraparaumu the following month. Dale Hendry is the judge for these semi-finals. Overall, the festival brought together a diverse range of productions, showcasing the talent within New Zealand's theatrical community.

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