AN ACTOR-MANAGER

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1928, Page 4

AN ACTOR-MANAGER

SPENT HIS BOYHOOD IN THE dominion.

' AUCKLAND, Sept. 4. “My earliest boyhood days were spent in New Zealand in a little place called Hope, near Nelson, and you can imagine how intensely interested I a.m in appearing on the stage in a country of which I have such pleasant recollections,’’ said Mr Percy Hutchison, actor-manager, who arrived from Sydney to-day. “I have always had the keenest desire to come back. I am very anxious to play for one night at Nelson. It was ‘Sleepy Hollow’ in those days, as 1 understand it is today. Mr Hutchison comes of a theatrical family. He is a nephew of Sir Charles Wyndlmm, and made his first appearance on the stage as a member of his mother’s company at the Theatre Hoy a! Blackpool. She was the first actressmanagress in England, and he toured with her for many years. In England Mr Hutchison has produced his own plays in seventeen theatres, acting and controlling at the same time. “During the production of eightynine plays," stated Mr Hutchison, “I have always made my main policy that the pieces should he dean and healthy as well as amusing. I loathe sex and problem plays. The baekboneless sex iplay came from Now York, and is just a passing phase. It is dying the death it rightly deserves. The papular cry on the English stage to-day is the crook and mystery drama, hut like the sex play, it is a. passing phase, and soon the public will demand something better. What that something bettor will be I cannot say with certainty, but 1 think it will he plays relating to life in all its aspects. The j human problem is always most interesting, but it must he of a character that will not bore the audience.’’