Stage in Hamilton

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 442, 25 August 1928, Page 24

Stage in Hamilton

Revival of Interest PROGRESS OF AMATEURS Written for the fTHE SUN by C. TIDMARSH The lure of the stage seems to have Hamilton in its grip. Far more amateur plays and farces have been produced this winter than in the past, and the existence of some promising talent here indicates that the time will not be far distant ichen a thriving dramatic club or repertory theatre will make its appearance . Undoubtedly the principal factor in stirring up the “dramatic sense” in local theatre-goers has been the increased opportunities offered to view some of the leading importations offered by “The Firm” and, recently. Fullers’. In the past the telling popu lation of the leading Waikato town

seems to have been overlooked by touring companies: now Hamilton is regarded as one of the best box-office centres in New Zealand. A large section of the community here is anxious to see a Little Theatre play. Mr. Kenneth Brampton has been approached, and it is understood he is giving serious consideration to the proposal of bringing his company for a one-night show in Hamilton. If the experiment is successful —and there is every reason to expect that it w r ill be—each of the society’s future plays may follow. There are several members of the Shakespeare Club, which holds fortnightly readings, who have expressed the opinion that the

time is ripe for the formation of repertory society, but the absence c a guiding spirit and the lack of ± right type of theatre for speciitdrama have proved stumbling bltxr so far. Chief interest at present is cent: in the Hamilton Operatic Sock" forthcoming comic opera, *E:: Jinks”—pre-war fare which siil :: a large appeal it put over clew This week the company, now inselected, has started rehearsing tv. weekly. It was recently annoo that “High Jinks” would come be!" the public about the middle of Oct - instead of in November. The training of the chorus for first and second acts is now out o! - embryonic stage and the enseu are beginning to take shape. Obric: criticism would be unfair at - moment, but watching a practice cannot help hoping that some mot“stunts” and burlesque will be UK polated. Other societies have • plised this with good effect In numbers the male chorus is mert vocal background to the ballet c one is unaware of their preset There is a conventional cafe scent * the inclusion of a first-class norwill make it a feature of the P It is rumoured that the costumes • be secured from the Wanf-' Society, which recently played ** Jinks.” M But for Mrs. H. Gregory, stage ■> ager and ballet mistress, hesitates to predict the reception opera will get, after the won public support accorded last year. With her, however * cess is assured. The training amateur chorus is not the - ing occupation in the world, Gregory emerges with colours - every time. Accurate interpio - of the lyrics and music is■ e ' with Mrs. H- C. Ross holdtag baton. This lady i 3 the life of the music world in these P B^, The principals are making - ; ' progress under the direction Bouillon. Some of the ; : tivating of the song **■***•.,; “Love’s Own Kiss,” “Ting-a-DM ! “Dr. Thorne.” . i Various worthy causes ana have been assisted by conce lin the district this year and n .. ! plays have been presented, weeks ago an amusing tare rt a furore at Eureka. The pu. 3 ; “Never Count Your Chickens ; cast included Messrs. Cf™ s Bill Leask. T. Clarkin. W. Mesdames C. P. Clarkin. Then about a torts**., Mrs. Kaber Harrison, a w ! theatrical a few years^ago. in a clever two-act i Mrs. F. M. Stevens. a? have been «aged by isations in the last re indicating th#t there is *. i-gJU** 1 vival in the interests of -M' | stage and literature generanj-

All the theatrical records church went by the board ' casion of the opening ° ; Theatre Royal, which ! reconstructed for ope ning j The firm signalised the new theatre b >‘ E_ pan r is ; Royal Comic °P < : r “ ‘L com* 0? beautiful and melodious. “The Student p T lnce ' tlie oJ*' plans opened tor qD eu« , production an enc ;™ n ~jde tb« f ! sembled inside and dem* 1 ." to!, and so reserved seats * ha we re dress circle and " j^jy. , in a little over the mna