,w.l:s FOUNDED DRA

l'ielcl -First Provincial Festival in Spring of '48

. "As the twig is bent. so 'the will be learning at the same tilne. .

The idea otlhgrama ulliestigala in- R3153. gflcaulnuu a four-night t:d'f:lco:l:”:'..'c;':;l':'d if three will grow" might well be 11;": l;:'ullV'l' lll" l"'d""d a”; M ii a In C CVCl0P'V i . ' CC In or pays, In E U ad: frdm a local llarlgtlllectc of WonI- From 1052 to 1954. there was an '"”'k- '5'” "W "m" l'”b:'m' ll” :lhu;,k'lgr:uJ3;:dDl:u::el9I.l:llg:; other outstanding productions en's lnatliutes- the staging of sev- average or 17 plays participating "Pm 0! - mm mm 1- mm '

- sral plays during their district con- vention, in 1945. Following this. the idea spread to other areas. with he result that the Provincial Wom- en's, Institutes were requested to organize a Drama association on

each year.

At the annual meeting in June, 1964. upon the advice of several adJudicators. a motion to have use Festival staged in the ialltrather

than the spring) was accepted by

MA FESTIVALS

limportance Oi Junior Drama Role Stressed

lllg

s in rgeci

since the organisation of the Prince Edward Island Drama Fes-

were played during play-oiis. Let us make tllis year, our Associa- tions Tenth Anniversary, I real celebration in Junior Drama. Start now to read plays and make your plans so that your district will be

workers and more plays produced. venile players of today are the it is with pleaaur. um: I note the actors of tomorrow. and many a renewed drive for membership, star made his or her debut in 0 May I suggest that all groups play staged on some small school 1 this season enter platform. Though we are not aim- ing for stardom in our player!

represented by a Junior play. Let's

a province-wide basis. This was the meeting as an experiment for 8 the let us think of tllielbegelllsi till he on pull together work together

done in the late Fall of 1947: and One Year. Thus. in November of Prllll ll! lllll WHY. YOU Wlllillllre 'l9l'lV9d '0'" P" cl” M " 'm' and plan together so that we can

the first Provincial Drama Fest- 1954. another Festival was held. . Your l0r Dr8m8- I d I! all -uiploy" logolho, ul la-eollvul

ival was held in the spring of 1948. This-perhaps because of inade- 1 - lluyau '0 lull lucll” 99'' "l "'19 " mm,

At this time judging was done on quite advance publicity-resulted sntnecessa u, need enunciation and phrasing. deve ops EARLY BEGINNING!

a Counirhasis, the county-winners in fewer plays being entered and 0mP9.llll9'l "ml lllll" ' W0" "'9d"l'l9d 'll"lll”5 Ville" "Tl" tr” "0 "me Icon"

then competing in the Final Fest- of these only one was from a rural Tlle Bout! Will profit by and brings poise and assurance U so b! m mt nah

W W M P '"”.A?'”:'"o".i' 3': ."'"..”' -" .:.:.:: s:....: -

' sl"Cteklb"llllme0"'ea:;' uclmnffg zlllledhl:el::r:l1?,o':hl:u:,(llg?:,l:ly:l:,:; iolllnldllllllepiglllli bl; ylgllnr en? 2 altercrleieates an appreciation of Year 1947. and now. liter eight 93- 5- w- 555". nave a on p ace. n e m s ' .. -. nouon pnoloou ,mpOrmm was that compemkm of lalg Moy agreed upon hy the try and your interest. lgood literature for our best chil- Years 0!. It least loll Ind Well. '3'

was not limited to Women's lnstlt- 1955 annual meetinr

Will you also provide news of dren'a plays are adaptations from We of the Prince Edward llllllfl

' . The word "drama seems to "'9 mm all gills: mllilmd by ionI?.”.'fi3f backfioldelhthlelyeiiilii De: Mnsrolliii-iil'.lia.lJim Ryglllll-0la';l7lll?l:llUl'll!hdl;llrlilflVvEt'lml:lll;' :l.lJl'oelce "lemon! in mm mew :l)'ii?l'l'iI:ilyF::lilvtllllBlA:ll'l?ctl:Q.:lnif frighten many people and indeed I Women's ll! ll8- OW My 3 W9 ll I 11 .ln i ' - i ' el at lo sluluuov lu olowl oud this frightening fact may be the group wholher fgrm 0;-gghlulloh, 1949 the York players took top lon- 3::um:,.i: ”:,f:cy,,f;3"”o',",lf,l:,c','l'”': ..,,fu,"f.f,f,”"f,f,'f,'L';"::l;l?".l:f'?J'e'i glut-elgylr-eregching upwnrd am-ll out. chief reason why so few concern churcir group. or community dra- Or! in the senior group. while Kin- rural class. may W0,” you tell u. about it M. rupomblm to me am,” D, L w. Show loot hlu ououol-l themselves with dramatics. Are we ma club may enter. I1-:ntl-y fge kora convent children scored hlgh- Looking forward to the next fea- no that we may pass the new! It bring! gut "came giant to the Drama Fem", movemenl of,-old heohuog we think or drama ior Senior groups is the standard est among the Juniors. In 1950 aw' tlV8l in May of 1956. the Drllmaionm other groups through the when we M the chudren Ham on tho. ll"; ruolo orool-um. oul-l as something far removed from iee.oi 52.00 There is no fee for ards were presented to the Little association executive hope for Newneuer which is prepared in min preparation. and co” (continued on pl” 9, ordinary ovol-ydhy mo? Pgfhapg Jumor enfreesj Theatre Guild of Charlottetown, generous increase in the entry-list under the auspices of the Prince fumes . so, would ll holpl l wonder, to

Comm, barriers wem broken with Hunters River Women's in- of all classes of plays. '

stitute the runner-up. Clyde River pupils and Kinkora convent child- ren were winners in the junior clas- ses. u Hunter's River again won in 1951 with York a close second in the rural class. while St. Peter's Cath- edral A.Y.P.A. received the trophy for urban class. with Little Theatre

down for the 1950 festival. and ' three classifications were decided upon. namely (A) Junior Festival (Bl Urban or city players (C) rur- al players. Competition was limit- ed to one-act productions, as for- merly. with a total of 21 plays to be adjudicated that year. it was decided to bring in an outside ad-

One of the highlights of between festival activities was the drama short-courses given ca-operativcly by the Adult Education Council and tile Drama Association. The earlier ones were well-attended.

Later however. the problem of

finding an instructor to conduct class

soclation. a copy of the Newslet-

will also be list to receive Festival New

Edward lsla sociation.

If you are a member of Prince Edward Island Drama Festival As-

leave aside for a moment our nd Drama Fes"valA! thinking about the more formal plays and concentrate on stories with which we are familiar. One of the principal values of dra- matization is that it tends to bring a story alive and to make the characters and situation of that story real to the listener. A per-

5. And since acting is is natural for children. it provides whole- some iun and entertainment while they learn.

I Producing a junior play is not difficult. Given plenty of enthusi- asm, a good imagination and plenty of common sense. any director can put on a very, very worthwile and

Sees Need For Greater Support

The Drama Festival Association was organized in 1947 to promote Drama throughout the rural area and since then has been working

r will be forwarded to you. You put on the mailing the Dominion Drama

sletter.

. vent of touring theatre companies

slsland Drama Festival Associat-

luroadsy. Nov. 1, 1955 The Guardian. Pass 7

BE IN 194

Dominion Director Urges Support of Local Ass'n

Prince Edward island welcomeddndicatlon that this will come up Mr. Richard MacDonald Director gortzta min; 0' the D""'"""" Dralna Festival" vitally important that every pro- Wllell lie "'9' "1059 lllleleslell 1" vince have some solid representat- tlrama El Cll3ll9ll9l0Wll- 5”"lmEl"' ivr organization covering the broad side and Montague. In R clear and field of the arts. This would in- agtertalnlnz mgnne; hfhdl:-'uS,5Ed dicate to the Canadian Council

time across aria a, e eglon-

u . , when it is formed, that we are al and Dominion Festivals. the ad- wol-lhy of help because we are

ready and willing to help our- selves The Calvert trophies are recognition by basic industry of the place that theatre has in the development oi the culture of the

and live theatre, such as the fest- ival at Stratford-on Avon, Ont. Following is a summary of an interview with him conducted by the P.E.I. Drama Festival Assoc- people, and we need to recggnlu llll0n- lthis as well. I "I feel that the Prince Edward 1 see 3 great need (or . inlheq supervisor and advisor to work in coniunctinn with drama groups. We must sell niirselves in our communiiies so that they recogn- ize the value of drama and the worthiness of our work so that they are willing and ready to give us their whole hearted support. Any play production must be pro- perly organized on sound business arrangements, for this as import- ant as the production aide. No group doing a play should present their show unless it has been com- pletely rehearsed to the best of their ability. We must constantly strive for improvement in our ei- forts. and accept the challeng of raising the standard of drama to the level attained by the best in this field. I feel that competition

ion should be the representative body to speak for drama on the Island, and that it sllnlllri be fully supported by all drama groups. As a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, the Dominion Festival is only as strong as its regions, and its regions only as strong as its groups. Prince Ed- ward lsland has bcen a region of its own. it would be a great pity and serious set back in drama on the Island if it should have to revert to becoming a part of another Mar- itime Region.

Like anything else. growth must start at the bottom. so from the small grass roots of the beginning theatre groups should grow into the tall sturdy plant that flowers

r ' es at the time most suitable With best wishes for renew in- o endabl roduction. The chil- Very hard to do so. Ionlreadlngxa story must do thislillio plays well done and well suited llrlllh lieell UP ill? Slanillftfl Ind ludicator for the semi-finals to av- Guilds Presentation placing second for our students became so difii- tcrest in the work of arms: in drglimwlll loevep it. and your only l-Ill year We Changed our time lll lm'5l""'”"o D”""3ll"l,l0” l','”l' D”l"l'll”l' Dram” F9””Vl'l Pelt mal"m"' Imam" "nd "lullmnm old any cl-lllclsm nf"'fhvm-mum" in that group. One of Kinkora con- cultihntthe projectwag suspendgdllthh pl-oulhoo. Problem Wm be owhu sh." I do of 1:-oullyol ll-om Sp,-lug to Fall, intended as an aid or a stimulus ional Play-oils. In the Massey Com- All praise to those who are al- by a local person. V9l.ll'5 Plays "D00l0l' Mlnnerr" Won In its place. three scholarshipsl x yours wlll, lhe emu '0”!-, They can-t hul us lhlo who uol cull wo to ' i ti---, F ' , then, ' l report on the arts in Can- ready working as drama groups.

in 1952, the Festival was gnlal-g. in the Junior class grouping. (awarded annually) are given. Jessie Fraser, all take purl... "Let them help dc. are reverting to 8 Sprlng Fesuvol with this simple yet interesting and ride. it was suggested that a.Can- and a hearty welcome to the new- on lo pennlt the lhlpoduclloh of Indian River Dramatic Club's 3 These are available to anyone parti- Secretary-Treasurer sign their own sets and provide with the hope that we shall have useful way of making stories come adian Council be formed to give comers! Good luck, good plays, 3 act plays. This was begun as ac! play carried off top honors, in glpnllng lh the loullvulmwholhol. as PEI Drama Festival their Own properties They Wm all many uurol ooh-loo, alive, we may easily take the nexilpariicular assistance in the dcvel- good Festgvals! an cxperiment for one year. but the 1952 festival. St. Mary's Drama actor. director or stage crew. As5”clatl"”' be "'ig"l" ""ll9l' ll9IV!rB" and The increase in membership for MED into the field of dealing Wll-ll 0Pl"9l3l ill ll" Hit The" l! EVOKV has proved so popular that it has tlc Club of Souris placed second --m-m------e---- -an .a..a...;?.......;... 1954.55 who very ohgoul-oulug, the simpler plays. From the easy become an established part of ill! in W! N"! group The trophy for S . . ' but when one realizes that we have Pl” We can P!!! readily to the A lestival. (A class for beginners was for the best 1 act play went to C O ars Ip lnners Last FeSl'IVa over 300 Women's Institutes on p. more difficult ones. Remember : also added that year.) lrishtown Women's Institute. while E. Ill we fool we should ho gel. what happened in Straiford in On- .

, with the inclusion ofs hcl plays, the St. Peter's . . .A. once again It , b - - Hug much more suuuoull and ll tario where Shakespeare's plays the time spent by adjudicato . was clantured honors in the city-group ”' l" -- - -'m---or-----r--w c ass.

1953 Festival trophies the iollowlng groups- Women's Institute: St. Pe C.Y.O.: Indian River club with runner-up the Drama Group.

The spring of 1954 saw Trinity

went to

Montague .Y.P.U.

nly entry in

The Prince E

MAUREEN IEAGAN .- 4

lThe WE NEED YOU!

Aims and Obiectives-n

I. G

To improve play productions

on Prince Edward island. esrlval purposes).

2. To promote Junior Drama.

0" Individual Membership entities that member to---

1. Free admittance to J saint-duels and finals.

2. Copies of the News-Lemr with news of local groups. 3. One vote at the annual Meeting.

THE ASSOCIATION WISHIS TO THANK THE FOLLOWING FIRMS ssamws ssvsssoss

sIMi-sous-ssaas. LTD.

causes raciisiis. urn.

J. a. 1'. Moms. LTD. DEILOIS litOS..L1'b. E . it WHOLISALIILS. up. 3' 4 gt E on .

. V5 1 U

"V i k .s -w . -:.'-H '

(These plays not necessary

are now being staged with tre- mendous success.

Let us consider for a moment some oi the advantages of drama- tics. We have already mentioned one namely that a story becomes alive. in order that others may hear and understand what we say, we must improve our diction. ar- ticulaiion, pronounciation in short we must improve our speech. What fun can be had in putting on a play in any community or within any group- These are but a few of the advantages. I am sure many others would emerge. Drama should not he a frighten- ing word, rather should we con-

each institute or Group would take L out a Group-Membership it would , not only boast our moral, but wouldstimulate Drama in that par- ticular area. To you who are mem- bers, we say thank you, and to you whom we hope will become membe s we say welcome!

Very shorrly the Drama Festiv- al Associaiion -plan to open a "Work-Shop" at or near Cornwall under the competent direction of Mrs. Frank Blatch, this should be of great assistance to all interest- ed in Drama and we hope as many as possible in Queens County will avail themselves of this opportun- ity. '

Thls your W, on looklog loo. alder dramatics as an interesting word lo 3 much mouo ouoooos, and .aluable activity in which ful year in Drama, but. member m3l'l' ll9l'50l"3 C" have 3 P3"-

. our success - depends on your L9l,"5 "Play "9" llle "lle Pl ll”' with St. Dunstan's University play- 2 l uuoool-ll matlcs in our community life. MR8. EDDY MORRISON ers second. Parkdale Women's int '- '41-” ' M.-5, President stltute play was the o

Eddy Morrison

L. W. Shaw, Deputy Minister and Preaidentbi

rector of Education.

dwald island llklMA FESTIVAL A

Play is Theolliing” JOIN NOW! 0U

1. Two repnseniiattvas at semi-finals and Inch-

5'0-satvlaslnofphvh

Malia-up service. if desired. for incis-

5. Two votes at the Annual Meeting.

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP . .. .. . 51.00 GROUP MEMERSHIP 32.00

FOR THEIR GINIIOUS CO-OPEIlA1'iONlNSPON50itIlG'i'HiSAD.: oowo MOTORS. LTD.

rlllsstons HOME 3. AUTO co.. LTD.

MARITIME ILECTRIC co.. no.

ISLAND soon soon

Itllllil ILICTRIC its.

livuouau a co. LTD.

CROCKETT

Group Membership entities that Group to---

infonnarioii on different phases of play production.

DOUGLAS BROS. Ir JONES. LTD. W. R. JENKINS

CONDON WOOLEN MILLS HEROES CASH It CARRY .'I'HE M. F. SCHURMAN CO. LTD..

Looking for a play? Just con- tact the P. E 1. Libraries. Prince of Wales College. Their new esta- logue is now ready. in it you will find all types of plays both one act and three act plays. These are all available at the Library. but for reading purposes only- The ad- dresses of the publishers for dif- ferent plays will be found in the catalogue.

The Drama Festival Information booklets will soon be available. In this booklet will be found all nec- essary information pertaining to the Festival, along with entry blanks for any group wishing to enter their play.

A workshop will be held in Corn- wall ia November the date to be aet later. Any group interested ll this workshop kindly writs Mrs. Frank Blatch. Charlottetown. RM

Miss JESSIE FRASER Secretary-'itreaaurer

SSOCiAll0N

NEED US!

& STOREY. LTD.