"WATCH YOUR STEP"

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3067, 1 May 1917, Page 6

"WATCH YOUR STEP"

Sir,— Why will 'amateurs shelter", themselves behind their status to avoid a healthv criticism that is ever so badly needed? I refer to the "Watch Your, Step" show and the remarks of Mr.-'D. M'Farlano, from Wanganui, who, I take it, is interested jn the company in some way or other: As a matter of fact, his remarks were only part of the truth as regards theamateur plea'. There are only three or four male parts in the "revue. 3 One is played by Mr. (formerly Pro" lessor) Cardston, who was a paid agent) in connection with the patriotic Queen Carnival in Wellington nearly two years ago, and cannot be regarded- as' an amateur under the arrangement he has with the present show. AnotheC part is played by Mr. Charles Throsby., who is. a well-known professional actor, and is, 1 very properly, being paid for his services. A third part is that of the Dame, who in Wellington has been played by Mr. W. Keany, without the name of the man whom he 'supplants being removed from the advertisements. Ido not know that Mr. Keany". is being paid, but I do know that before he accepted the part it was offered! to another, with the intimation that "it would be worth a tenner." That gentleman turned the offer down, ancJ Mr. Keany accepted the part. So much! for the amateur shield that Mr. M'Farlano holds up as against a little honesS>. criticism. ' Too much of this sort otthing is being done under the name of patriotism.) Long ago the London critics expressed themselves as, being under no obligation to write anything but the truth about an entertainment, whether it was for patriotic purposes or no, being driven to take that standi by tho manner'in which a ing public was being imposed upon.— I am, etc., ' T . PROFESSIONAL.