THEATRICAL STIR

Hokitika Guardian, 16 May 1932, Page 2

THEATRICAL STIR

LADY GAME’S PROTEST

DISTASTE MORAL TONE

SYDNEY

SYDNEY, May 4. Lady Game's dramatic departure from the Aeolian Had o:i Tuesday night during the third annual o:e-act play tournament organised by Mss Carrie Tennan:, has cars. <1 a stir in amateur theatrical circles. Lady Game, wife of the State Governor, denounced the- two plays which -die had just seen, and left the hall at the first - interval, protesting strongly to Miss Tennant for having 'been invited •to witness plays of- such a "distasteful moral 'Tone." "'' The plays to which Lady Game objected' were‘'TJvpoerdes,” by T. S. •Gini', and ‘""No Robbery,"’ by Tom -Moore. In •"Hypocrites” a man and his wife cover up the sins of their private lives by continuing to live together with the oily, object of securing a title. The play finishes with the line, “We ai'e all hypocrites.”

"No Robbery” L based on the in~e>'change of wives, with a free love theme running through it and occasional mention of birth control. ORGANISE It'S DEFENCE.

Beyond the appearance of a comic clergyman in “Hypocrites," Miss Tennant could see nothing to offend against taste. ‘•'No Robbery,” she said, was enjoyed 'by a crowded audience. Tom Moore, the author, was at Sydney University some time ago, and took honours jti English. Explaining that she had worked for three years to help Australian dramatists, .Miss Tennant said to-day that .dn> had informed the secretary and t era surer Jof the Australian Play Society .that she could not possibly continue after “the slight that had been offered Australian dramatists by Lady Game.”

“In an honorary capacity,” '.she said, “I haw done my best to get Australian drama favourably represented overseas, with the idea of giving Australia the best possible advertisement. I have had the support of right thinking people, but I feel that I cannot possibly carry on now."’

Obviously distressed at Ladv Game’: action in leaving the hall, Miss Tennant explained that she had nothing to do with the plays. Judges were appointed, and were to give their decicision to-day. A reading committee accepted the plays, and they were passed af:er an adequate censorship.