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Dramatic Club

The activities of the Dramatic Club during the past year have been more numerous and of a higher standard than those of the previous year. No longer is the Club embarassed financially, and the productions for this year have shown that the Club can rely on the support of a large body of students.

After the November examinations last year, a reading of Noel Coward's "The Young Idea" was presented with a cast comprised mainly of old students who had appeared in the Varsity production of this play several years ago. The reading proved very successful and was well attended.

There have been two productions this year—Val Gielgud's "Chinese White" and J. B. Priestley's "Laburnum Grove." These productions are reviewed elsewhere in this issue.

The following plays were selected for reading during season 1935:—"The Distaff Side" (John Van Druten), "For Services Rendered" (Somerset Maugh-ham), "Almost a Honeymoon" (Walter Ellis), "Badgers Green" (R. C. Sheriff), "Green Pack" (Edgar Wallace), "Dark Angel" (T. B. Trevelyn), "London Wall" (John Van Druten).

Several of the readings were of quite a high standard and were well received by the audience.

Several enjoyable circle readings were held during the long vacation and the present session, with a result that the cast for the mid-year production consisted almost entirely of new members.

In June the Club arranged a picture party to see the screening of "Emperor Jones," starring Paul Robeson.

The final production for the year is to be "Cocktail Party," a revue, in aid of the Building Fund. A very bright programme has been arranged, and promises an evening's excellent entertainment.

During the past year the Committee has concentrated on obtaining suitable stage fittings. As a result the stage is now furnished with attractive buff-coloured curtains, while handsome draw-curtains have been acquired from the Trustees of the Wellington Teachers' Training College.

In July the Committee received with regret the resignation of Mr. D. G. Edwards from the position of President of the Club. Mr. Edwards has been an office-bearer of the Club for many years, and proved himself invaluable as a producer and stage manager.

Although the past year has been very successful, the Committee decided that next year could be greatly improved if the Committee prepared the programme for the session during the long vacation. Accordingly, arrangements have been made to amend the constitution to enable the election of the officers to be held at the end of the session.