The Happiest Days Of Your Life

Tokoroa Company Compete Anywhere

"This society must be congratulated. It was altogether an oustanding performance and one which clearly demonstrated it is worthy of the fullest and sustained support of the public at Tokoroa."

This comment referred to the Tokoroa Drama Club's presentation of "The Happiest Days Of Your Life," a three-act farce by John Dighton, which it staged in the Community Centre on two consecutive nights to full houses. It was made, with the following observations, by a competent dramatic critic. Long association with live theatre and stage performances enabled him to appreciate each of the myriad details, difficulties and preparations entailed in the venture, and he adds his congratulations to popular opinion in offering them to the club on the quality of every aspect of presentation, casting and production.

Professional Standard

Without picking out particular characters to any degree (he reported), I would say that the performance given by Barrie Spiers as headmaster of Hillary Hall was entirely up to professional standard. The work of Bill Code as Rupert Billings, the senior assistant master; of Val Kofoed as Miss Gossage, the senior assistant mistress of St Swithin's and of John Johnson, in the role of Rainbow, the caretaker, approached this very closely.

Vera Gregory was most excellently cast as Miss Evelyne Whitchurch, the principal of St Swithin's, and her most commendable presentation was well balanced by the 'teenage Robyn Chambers (Barbara Cahound, St Swithin's pupil) and Tony Willey (as Hopcroft and then a Hillary Hall pupil).

Norman Clark and Cath Suisted were right in their element as the Rev Edward Peck and Mrs Peck, as were Len Walker and Marjorie Weatherly as Mr and Mrs Edgar Sowter, respectively. This group were perfect as the parents.

The role of assistant-master of Hillary Hall, Dick Tassell, was a long and difficult one and was well played by Garth Summers, while Marilyn Ball left nothing to be desired in the balancing role as assistant mistress (Joyce Harper) of the girls' school.

While all the players proved themselves capable and true in their respective roles, they must count themselves fortunate on the matchless casting job which was done.

Mention must be made of the producer, Miss Betty Blain, and her skilful handling of the 101 factors which fell to the producer's lot and to her assistants.

The Argument

I do not know who painted the scenes, but the artist merits congratulations.

Further merit is accorded the stage settings and the lighting; in fact, every aspect of the venture.

The plot revolves round the fact that in early post-war days the staff and pupils of St Swithin's Girls' School are billeted on the Boys' School of Hillary Hall, in Hampshire, a fact discovered early in the opening scene, when the fun begins. The righteous indignation of St Swithin's headmistress over the outrages of treacled school bags and punctured back tyres as perpertrated on her girls; disturbed parents; one successful and one frustrated romance among the staff members of each school, provided the keys to one humorous situation after another.

The "News" critic urges the Drama Club to have no hesitation in competing at large Drama Festivals at the earliest opportunity. "There is absolutely no reason," he remarked, "why the Tokoroa Drama Club should not compete in Dominion-wide competitions, and every reason why they should."

At the conclusion of the performance on the final night Mrs Blain, the producer, was presented with a basket of flowers and a book from the cast, and Mrs Gregory, the club's president, with a box of chocolates. A satisfactory profit was shown at the ??????? ??????? well the ??????? cial and arduous technique necessary in farce.

The backstage and front of the house men and women who earned their full share of these encomiums were Diana Dean (prompt), Pat Burns (stage manager), Guus da Costa (assistant stage manager), Page Kofoed (lighting), Jean Linklater (properties and wardrobe), Tony Oldham (business manager), Norman Clark (publicity), and Ross Tilley (honorary musician).

"HAPPIEST DAYS" APPLAUSE APPRECIATED

(To the Editor)

Sir, - As a member of the cast of the "happiest Days Of Your life," I would like to thank "Theatre-Goer" very much for his generous appreciation of our efforts. As president, I feel that in staking this, our first major production, we have passed a milestone in the history of the Tokoroa Drama Club.

It might be of interest to our many friends to know that the club celebrated its fourth anniversary on June 21, and hopes to present further productions in the near future.

- I am, etc., VERA GREGORY, President, Tokoroa Drama Club