THE COMPETITIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 49, 26 August 1933, Page 12

THE COMPETITIONS

(To the Editor.) Sir,—As one of the very "thin" audience at the Friday evening Wellington Competitions performance, I heartily endorse the remarks of one of the judges—Mr. Bailey—viz., that the excellent fare provided is worthy of "capacity" house patronage by the public—not solely through a sense of duty, but on the basis of sheer merit alone, as exhibited by the "recalls" at these competitions. Is it to be claimed that only physical exhibitions, often verging upon the brutal, can attract "full" houses? Has the mental side of characterisation and musical artistry, so charmingly demonstrated by the cream of the performers at these competitions, lost their appeal? Or are the supporters of the. physical school more loyal to their entertainers than the predominating numbers -who yield, at least, lip service in claiming to be disciples of the artistic school? This indifference casts a reflection upon the citizens of Wellington. Each of the fourteen classes judged this evening provided a performance pleasing to the most blase of entertainment seekers. Tie! Wellington! Show some appreciation and interest in the cultural efforts of your juveniles, who remain here^vhen visiting "man-haulers" .ire drawing "capacity" hn^cs in other lands not temporarily climatically handicapped by a socalled "off-season."—l am, etc., . ENCOURAGEMENT. August 25.