DRAMA DECLINES

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 343, 2 May 1928, Page 7

DRAMA DECLINES

SURFEIT OF CHORUS GIRLS—AND BOYS SHAKESPEARE UNPOPULAR (From Our Own Correspondent) HAMILTON, To-day. Music is not the only muse for which Hamiltonians have shown a growing apathy. Drama is now on the decline. Only 11 persons attended the annual meeting of the Hamilton Shakespeare Club held on Monday evening, out of a total membership of 116. Time was when the river town, which now boasts a population of nearly 18,000, was a centre of music and drama. The Bohemian Orchestra and Choral Society were in a flourishing condition and the histrionic bent of the community was evident from th« various clubs and play-reading societies then in existence. The consensus of opinion places the displacement of talent at the door of the Operatic Society, which is undoubtedly overloaded with a surfeit of ability—far more than it would ever have use for. Possibly the vogue of the musical play has proved toe* attractive for promisng amateurs. They have been drawn irresistibly to th*' Operatic Society even if their use to that body extends only as an insignificant chorus girl—or boy. Even Shakespeare has fallen out of favour in amateur dramatic circles and the Shakespeare Club and some private societies have shown themselves to be wedded to the modern playwright. Whatever the causes responsible for the jettisoning of local amateur drama - tic performances, the little coterie of enthusiasts recognise that a revival must come soon if the club is not to be extinguished. The club will sive a reading of Somerset Maugham's "The Tenth Man,” on Friday. Following is the cast: —George Winter, M. W. L. Ranstead; Lord Francis Etchingham. Mr. E. Bouillon: Mr. Perigal, Mr. Nr. W. Coventry; James Ford. Mr. E. Wilson: Robert Colby, M.P., Mr. H. IX Adams. Frederick Bennett, Mr. R. Ranstead : Colonel Boyce, Mr. W. J. King; Rev. William Swalecliffe, Mr. F. A. de la Mare; Edward O’Donnell, Mr. W. C. S. Leys; Lady Francis Etchingham. Mrs. Kaber Harrison: Catharine Winter. I Miss K. M. Gordon; Anne, Miss NT. i Dowd.