Newsman's Diary

Chronicle (Levin), 14 May 1949, Page 4

Newsman's Diary

. Milesione In History Oi Dramatic Art In Levin , .• j .

* . . . f ; ■ A mile'fitone in the history of dramatic art in Lervin was bhe decision made this week to change the name of the Levin Playreaders to that of Levin Little Theatre Society. Although the change was viewed with some misgiving by a few of the older members because tne society -had gained distinction under its previous name, the majority sensed that the ofid hame did not convey to the public a fuil realisation of the society's activities. • " i

The history of the society is a most interesting one, dating back do 1935. Prior to that 'da.te two dr.ama groups were in existence, Ghe Methodist Church Drama Glup and St. Mary's Drama Club, and it was the affiliation of these -two groups which broiight about tftie aucleus of the Levin Playreading Society/ the name of which was ater . abbreviated to Levin Playreaders. One of thos.e who had much to do with the formation of the society was Mr. Gordon Sore'nson, who, when atten'ding a drama jchool held in Palmerston Norfch. by the British Drama League, was asked by the convener, Mrs.~S. T. Bristow, if something cou.d not be done to form a socie.y in Levin. A meeting of the two :ocal groups was arranged, chaired -by Mr. W. Cflfford, and as a result the society was formed. Strangely enough the name Levin Little Thearre Society was then considere'd by the meeting bu^ rejected. The society's .activities during its first few years were confined to Sc. Mary's Hall. It was found necesSary to go into recess in 1940 and when it recommenced activity in 1943 the Coliege Hail was obtained for readings. From a membership of 20 or 30 it has grown .o a j.arge organisation with over 100 members. The style of reading has also undergone a change, evolving from sitting in a circle and reading straight from the, script to the dramatised type of reading- now presented. Its firs; reading was "The Wind and the Rain," by Merton Hodge, produced by Mr. W. Beale. One of the most prominent members was Df. Ian Fraser, then minister of the Presbyterian Church, who was president of the society for a period and produced "Theatfe of -the Soul," by Nicolai Evreinof, and wilh a company eonsisting of Mrs, McAneny, Misses M. Blenkhorn. B. B enkhorn and ' M. Parton, Dr. Fraser, and Messrs N. M. .Thomson, Hair, Hocking and G. H. Sorenson. Entered in the MTanawatu Area Council of the British Drama League's.festival in 1938, it won the

competition, and was awaffded -Second place in the'North Is.and semifinai held in Masterton. Iin -award* ing ii an A certiflcate, thie adiudicator at Palmerston . Norjth cpmmented on the, excellence of the psrformance of each individual performer, ahd added thiat. this was uhe firSt tlihe during hijs many years of ludging that ihe had awarded so high a certiflcate to a society. : " During more recent year^ the society has had the valuiable services of Mr. A. A. Savell, iwho has maintained a very high 'standard in the annual productions.® Remeruber "Hiayfever" — 194$, "Nigiht Must Fall"^1946l "Dear Brutus"— 1947 and "Sarah Simp^e"— 1948? This year the major production will be vin the hands of prqfessional Arnold Goo'dwin, of Auckland. The grand house' which saw, "Tons of Moriey" when R was played by the Palmerston North Little Theatre in Levin recently has indicated a revival of public interest in this type of entertainment,. and provided a preview of the support. which should be fortheoming for the . ocal production. . . . Earlier ih Levin's history there were other groups bf playreaders and drama clubs. Best known perhaps was the Levin Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society, in which Mr. Claude Bennett was a promin-' ent producer. Thjs society had a much wider field, branching out into musicals. Many wni doubtless remember its first class production Of "The i Belle of New York." With a cast of 80 it was staged in record time , for New Zea and, Gwen Cardston ; and 'Jack Baxter, two well-known . professionals, being the joinc pro- . ducers. It was later taken to Palmerston North and a Wellington i society came up to See. and leam, . but subsequently abandoned their • own idea' of nroducing it.. Among many other successes of . the Levin society were "Middle . Watch," "High Jinks," and "Accent . on Youth." Mr. Bennett flnds he can no longer devote the- tifne, to , productions, but is w.atching With l interest ihe rapid progress of the i Levin Playreaders of today.