CORRESPONDENCE.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 40, 13 March 1930, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE.

Sir,- —Iq, your issue date, March. 6th, 1930, If note with-interest a paragraph under the 'heading "Arts and Music." There is much.food far thought there and,: as producer and chairman of the Hutt Valley Dramatic and Operatic Society, I am strongly in favour of the idea of amalgamation. As your article reads: "If all the societies pooled their interests, a very large members-hip .would at once.be establish",-and'the audience would be assured for any entertainment or exhibition the society or its branches gave.'' Excellenti I have advocated such a course sine.my entry into Lojver Hutt some eighteen months ago. In the first, place,- wit-h the amalgamation of the Ctio.ral Society, what is left of the Orchestral Society and the Hutt Valley Dramatic and Operatic Society, we would 'have a very strong working foundation for the presentation of^ opera in English, light opera, and such works as the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. In these we'blend the work of the three societies—choral/ operatic and dramatic, and orchestral.

Surely no musicion' woidd complain at' such, a standard of music, be he chorister, dramatist, or- instrumentalist. And what of the public? My experience of the public leads me to believe that the presentation of such as tie above will always find a sympathetic audience, and a large one too. Supposing, for a hypothetical example, such a society were formed, with a name such as **Fine Arts Society" and were to present an

opera, for instance, the Gilbertian "Gondoliers." There would be work for choristers (inspiring work too), drama, orchestra, dancing, and our production }would be highly sueeessfuJJ The influence of tJie "Taliu.es" is being felt keenly in many eir.cles, at present, and it has been suggested that the "writing 4s on the wall" for amateur theatrical and chaTiil societies. It is my considered opinion that we should "grasp the nettle" and benefit by it. Let us unite ourselves together, we amateurs and whilom professionals, and formulate one strong society to provide entertainment of m the highest standard,such as will vie with any production on ■ the sound screen., It can be done. There j^re experienced leaders in" the' Hutt — there are singers in,plenty, and actors, and musicians. Exhibitions could be given of art, pho.tograjphy, handwork, Plc.^ entertainment provided—^dancing would play a prominent part too —and the whole organisation would be behind the effort. Why is the public- apathetic? Because the public do not- hesir .sufficient. about the various small societies to become more than mildly interested. But, once let the organisation be big and strong, with ntenty-of publicity, in whichj your paper, sic, can materially, assist, let the peTfonnanees be well up to standard and public taste, and the Society will grow in strength, the public will realise that it is alive and. doing things, and the support .so long withheld will come vigorously to the fore and Lower Hutt w:u- set an

example to the 'rest of New Zealand in having a society of F^ne Arts second to none for artistic excellence—in all branches of Art—and for the enthusiastic attendance of its performances', etc.

'If any of the local societies appreciate the truth of these assertions and would like to collaborate, I shall be only too pleased to meet representatives and discuss plans prior to calling a general meeting of all organisations, interested.—l ametc.,- ..:

L. M. ASSHETON" HARBORD, Producer H.V.D. & O.S.