"Sotaba Komachi"

Victoria's entry in the competition was "Sotaba Komachi," a translated and modernised Japanese "Noh" play. The play was concerned with the death of a poet (Paul Maunder) when he recognises beauty in old age. Kristin Strickland, who played the old woman, carried the show. It is hard enough for a nonagenerian to portray a ninetv-nine-year-old let alone a student. Miss Strickland was never ludicrous, always effective.

Murray Rowlands, the producer, did not choose to stick to the traditional stylised presentation; instead it was a mixture, losing something in its indecision. A ballroom sequence with clumsy dancing on a small set would be far more effective if presented stylistically without any pretensions to reality. At times the voice of the old woman changed from young to old without any apparent reason. Paul Maunder's movements were slightly stiff and clumsy, but he played his part sincerely and thus effectively.