AMATEUR STAGE

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 278, 23 August 1945, Page 4

AMATEUR STAGE

Marked Activity In Wellington NEED FOR MUNICIPAL THEATRE SEEN (By LLP.) An entire absence of professional theatrical competition during the years of war has brought about an extraordinarv state of activity in the amateur ranks of the stage in Wellington, ami, I' believe, elsewhere in New Zealand. Such is the enterprise and energy behind this (rend that no one can be Jel't in doubt that amateur organizations devoted lu this form of cultural recreation are (irmly determined that the flesh-and-blood stage (wounded qlmost to death by the coming of the “talkies”) will not be permitted to wither if they can help it. It way the late Sir George Alexander, London ' actor-manager, who once said that there were those in the profession who were inclined to smile indulgently' or openly scoff at amateurs; but for his part he had always thought that it was the most delightful form of cultural exorcise which encouraged a love of good literature, Poetry and the study of all that was be,st in dramatic literature. He regarded the ain'at'eiir stage qs the cradle of the professional stage, ami one had'not to look very far to see examples to give that, view endorsement. What is refreshing to note—-and it should be noted—is the perceptible advance in standard.’ Take the achievements of the present seasuii in' Wellington. It commenced with the visit of the Canterbury University players in “Hamlet’’ and “Othello,” a visit which set a precedent, for these students travelled as far north as Auckland. The Wellington Thespians, restored ’ to life after a wartime suspension, have already given the public such comedies as “Springtime for Henry,” “French for Love?’ “The' Merry Wives of Wiudsop,'* and “OutwarJ Bound,” and they are scheduled to present before the end of the year “The Cradle Song” of Martinez Sierra and Ibsen's “A Doll’s House.” Repertory Nor has the Wellington Repertory Theatre been slumbering. The old Beu Travers comedy, “The’ Cuekoo w the Nest,” somehow or other did not fully register Without the enlivening presence of Ralph Lyuu qud Tom Walls, but ample qineuds were mqde iu the teuse drama, "Gaslight,” with Zita Chapman couspieuously effective in the exacting dramatic role of Mrs. Manningham. A tew weeks ago the Repertory piayers attained a higu peak iu amqteur'eiiuearqiir in the Wilde comedy, ’ "The Importance of Being Earnest.” This week the same, society spread its wings in the rather lugubrious tragedy of Maxwell Anderson, “Winterset,” the mqin Uieme of winch is sqid tp be “the pursuit of justice with poetic’ force.” In plainer language, it; is h gloomy play qt" New Ybrlis underworld iq blank verse, with a last act as gory' as that of “Hamlet.” But there is brightness ahead, for next month Miss Helen Gard’ner, who has spent a useiul and busy lifetimg in tile amateur' theatie of New Zealand, is to produce for Repertory Shakespeare’s love tragedy, “Romeo aiid Juliet,” .with John Roberts as Romeo and Violet Compton as Juliet. Finally, in December we are to have—oh, blessed gift-r-ißarrie’s “Peter Pan” as a Christmas box. Another “Peter Pah” has been announced tor November, but little has been made known of this enterprise up to the present. Two perforniaucqs of the one play within a few weeks would be asking too much of the public. The amateurs have not been backivard in the production of musical plays. Already this season we have' had "Sally” and “Katinka.” and a joyous revival of Gilbert and Sullivan’s half fairy opera, “lolanthe,” by the Armed Forces Operatic Society, which, regrettably, may now have to go out of business, sinee the war is at an end. A promise of a season of “Our Miss Gibbs” is, on the cards, on this occasion by the Wellington Light Opfera Company. Municipal Theatre Project-

This liveliness of endeavour once more directs attention to the need of the Wellington City Council implementing its promise to provide a suitable up-to-date municipal theatre. Every hall in the city now available for hire is inadequate for theatrical purposes. The Town Hall Concert Chamber is almost impossible, as ‘the cramped quarters behind the footlights make anything iu the way of production a problem. There is insufficient space for the players, both on and off the stage, and there, are no facilities for handling scenery. This was evident in the recent performances of “The Merry Wives,’’ when the scenery had to be faked, and even then used in a duplieatory sense. The larger stage of the Technical College assembly hall (even if it be cold, uncomfortable and awkwardly placed for the public) made it possible to use three full sets in “The Importance of Being Earnest,” which gave a decorative prestige to the performances. I would still plead that the municipal theatre should not be “islanded” on the block to .the eastward of the Town Hall, as in the civic plan. Theatres almost every? where present an unsightly rear, usually a roadwqy over which lorrie<s laden with scenery and furniture may be driven up to the stage door. As often as not, too, ; there are stage appurtenances which must at times be left lying outside the ' rear of the theatre, apart from the stage or scene dock, which make for unsightliness, to say the least. My suggestion is that the longdeferred municipal theatre should be placed away from the main streets, where quiet can lie assured. For that reason I again suggest consideration of the Harris Street site to the north of the Public Library, where the noise of trams and other traffic would be unheard, and there would be ample parking space for cars in Victoria, Harris and Mercer Streets.