THE NEW ELOCUTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 64, 7 June 1927, Page 5

THE NEW ELOCUTION

No longer is the pupil in elocution taught to develop tones of an almost impossible profundity, or to enunciate her syllables in a manner never followed under ordinary and normal conditions. Rather is she taught a system of rhythm, under which she speaks symmetrical and harmonious prose. The conductor’s baton is utilised in the new elocution lessons, directing the rise and fall of the voice, the phrasing and the general trend of the sound, exactly as in the case of an orchestra. The lifting of the voice to carry on the scale developed by the last speaker, or the lowering of it to create a contrast, are both matters which receive great attention under the new system, and the student is taught exactly what type of rhythmic treatment best accords with given emotional utterances. To carry out appropriate action before rather than simultaneously with the words relative to it is a lesson which has to be carefully mastered, since in this way alone can the words receive their due stress and weight. Stillness rather than continuous vivacity, is now considered the best means of giving expression to words, and the student is accotmted the most promising who can impress her audience with the most direct and simple gestures. —F.F.