Federation of Amateur Theatrical Societies of Southern Africa

The Federation of Amateur Theatrical Societies of Southern Africa held its First Annual Play Festival at the Port Elizabeth City Hall on December 11, 1939 when six plays were staged. The Adjudicator was David L Kahn. All proceeds were donated to the Ministering League for Consumptives.

They were: I. Smoke-Screens by Harold Brighouse Presented by the Krugersdorp Municipal Dramatic and Operatic Society. CAST (in order of their appearance) Mrs P P Breytenbach as Susan Merridew, Mrs J Richmond as Primrose Aston, Mrs A G Gladwin as Lucy Aston, her mother, and Miss G B Palk as CLARICE, a friend of Primrose. The scene is Mrs Aston's sitting room in a Kensington flat.

2 Bly By Jou Lees, an original stage production in one act by P W S Schumann Presented by the Krugersdorp Municipal Dramatic and Operatic Society. Cast: Mnr. W. J. S. Coetzee as Albert Theron, Mr T C E Corbett as Lodewyk van Vuuren, Mr S Hendrikz as Bantjies.

3. In Port by Harold Simpson Presented by the Executive Committee of the Federation. CAST (in order of their appearance) Mr J Elwyn Davies as Fletcher, Mr F C Drummond as Mr Justice Hatton, and Mr J Hardie as Robert Adderly. The scene is the dining room of Mr Justice Hatton's bachelor chambers.

4 White Queen, Red Queen by T. B. Morris. Presented by Mrs. Taubie Kushlick's Studio, Port Elizabeth CAST Loremia Hayes as Elizabeth Hammond, Joan Wallace as Madge Skelton, Helen Lipschitz as Mary Wyatt, all Ladies-in-Waiting to Queen Katherine, Gwen Marriner as Jane Seymour, Attendant on Anne Boleyn, Madge Frost as Mary Tudor, Princess of Wales, Elizabeth Howe as Margaret Pole, Countess of Salisbury, Lilian Goldman as Anne Boleyn, Marchioness of Pembroke and Mollie Pittaway as Katherine of Arragon, Queen of England.

5 Twentieth Century Lullaby by Cedric Mount Presented by the Rhodes University College Dramatic Society. Produced by S Christie. CAST J Leith as MADONNA, P Sutherns as Mother, H S Winter as Schoolmaster, A B Hall as Politician, B Thompson as Businessman, R Douglas as Clergy, H Barradle as Bride, R Cunlisse as Announcer.

6. Joint Owners In Spain by Alice Brown Presented by Mrs. Gibson Lochhead, Port Elizabeth. CAST Miss Anne Lamb as MRS. FULLERTON, MrsD Coutts as Mrs MITCHELL, Mrs C English as MRS. BLAIR, Mrs G Lochhead as MISS DYER.

SOURCE: Federation of Amateur Theatrical Societies of Southern Africa programme from December 11, 1939.