LIGHTS AND DANCE

Evening Star, Issue 19804, 1 March 1928, Page 15

LIGHTS AND DANCE

STAN LAWSON'S APPOINTMENT PROLOGUES FOB HEW THEATRE Following on the appointment of Mr W. Paget Gale as organist at the new Empire Theatre, now in the course of construction, is the announcement that Mr Stan Lawson, who was with the Diggers and has been twice to America to study at the famous Ned Wayburn School of Dancing, has been appointed director of the prologues and scenas to be presented at the theatre. He is highly enthusiastic over the opportunities for high-class work _ presented by the designs for the illumination of the theatre. “When the Divine ,Director ; as reported in the Old Testament, said Let there be light ’ He meant, of course, the sun. Nowadays when stage directors want the same thing they specify ‘ amber floods,’ ‘ blue foots,’ or similar order,” said Mr Lawson to-day. Sunlight served the old Greeks- and Homans satisfactorily, and in their dramas they seem to have succeeded very well without electrician or footlights. “ Shakespeare and his fellow-workers used a theatre open alike to the sun and rain. The audience had to exert its imagination in night scenes and such, but when performances were given in court flambeaux and caudles brightened the stage. Then the theatre passed from the oil wick to gas. Illumination by gas was considered a great advance, but at the best could be diminished and increased only. The entrance of electricity upon the stage started a revolution, for not only could electricity be dimmed-’ or brightened, but it could be colored. Light lias now become on the stage the living, vital thing it really is, serving the theatre and of the theatre. From the sun to candle and on through gas to electricity we may now walk into a windowless picture theatre that can be illuminated magically by what we all know as electririty. “ Realising that lighting is paramount in a modern picture theatre, the directors of the new Empire Theatre have spared no expense that the lighting throughout be the best obtainable in the world to-day from a point of theatre decoration, and also for the purpose of stage lighting. The lighting arrangements will prove that it is possible to capture the sun and his brood, the moon, lightning, and fire, and cage them in a switchboard. The rainbow is there, too, ready to be released and to perform for the delight of patrons, “Perfect lighting, a full-sized stage mounted in the approved style of the best American and Continental picture houses, give wonderful opportunities lor the presentation of prologues and ballets. ft is the intention of the management to do elaborate prologues and atmospheric scenas, especially to those motion picture masterpieces which are being reserved for presentation at this theatre only. Naturally enough, patrons must see that for prologues, etc., a number of Dunedin singers and dancers will bo used, it being impossible to import artists for every programme. Nevertheless, the professional finish will be there, and this opportunity should servo as an impetus to teachers and performers alike.” Mr Lawson is most enthusiastic about the innovations of prologues, and considers that the chance for aspiring singers and dancers to get experience in the new and up-to-date theatre, together with a full orchestra, should bo the ambition of every young dancer or singer, opening the way to even larger fields. Up till now there has been little or no opportunity tor performers to get the right kind of experience, it has always been the cry of the student who has studied his art till lie feels he can do something with his talent—“ After dancing school, what?” and the same applies to the singer. Hero appears to bo the chance.