THE “HIGHBROW” PLAY

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4724, 14 July 1924, Page 2

THE “HIGHBROW” PLAY

GROWING IN POPULARITY. IMPROVED STANDARD WELCOMED. A subtle change is coming over the London theatre, says .the “Morning Post.” A type of play, familiarly known as “highbrow,” is beginning to engage the serious attention of the commercial manager. Such a change is to be welcomed for the sake of variety alone. The London public has had more than enough of a type of play which is the very reverse of "highbrow”. But we have no intention of abusing the managers. No human being can tell how any play is going to turn out until it has been submitted to the verdict of the public. Moreover, a man who < has to risk something like £5OOO before he can submit a play to the verdict of London must be chary in taking risks. Everything depends upon the public, for it is clear that if the public, will respond to .the new movement London will soon be snowed under by plays which will discuss every subject permitted by the censor. Nearly all great .acting is a response to a challenge, a rising to great difficulties, an effort called fortli by a big occasion. The achievements of some actors in recent London productions show that the serious play can give them those opportunities without which their ancient and gracious art would degenerate into a miserable imitation of mediocre emotions.