Country life, backblocks theme for plays
Members of the Hawera Women’s Club Play Reading group enjoyed an evening of country life and backblocksthemed entertainment, organised by hostesses Helena Moore and Cheryl Woodmass.
Fiona Collins, who read a story she had written herself, opened the evening. Finnigan’s Journey featured Finnigan, a cat who ran away from his new home in the country when his owner moved. The story involved the cat’s adventures across the countryside with a happy and romantic ending.
Cheryl’s play, It’s a Pleasure was set in a black blocks home where they only went to town once a month. Barbara (Felicity Willis) and Laura (Judy Greenwood) are sorting and wrapping parcels they will be delivering in town for the people of the district. Parcels all over the room, and the very funny, muddled conversation between the two women, left the audience wondering if anything would actually get delivered to town.
Margaret Watts’ reading, We never went to town also carried on the country theme. It told the true story about the pioneer Tarrant family who lived in the back blocks of Stratford.
Helena’s play, Hats are Only Hats, is set in the lounge of the country home of Barbara (Norma Stevenson) where she will be holding a committee meeting. She shows her friend Laura (Effie Gallie) a new hat she intends to wear to the races. Hats feature in a most dramatic way as the story unfolds.
Pat Hickman’s reading gave everyone a different but very creepy look at food of the future, if our present food supplies run out.
This concluded the entertainment, and social time was enjoyed over a lovely supper provided by June Welsh and Jean Bennett.