Success Ahead

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 666, 18 May 1929, Page 24

Success Ahead

Amateurs in Hamilton REPERTORY THEATRE POSSIBLE Written for the Sun by C. C. T. Prospects for a successful season among Hamilton amateurs are extremely bright, and a revival of interest in matters dramatic is anticipated this winter. Last season saw the production of Hamilton's own film, while the Operatic Society’s play brought crowded houses. In adjacent country districts innumerable playlets were staged, but in the town little was done beyond periodical readings by the Shakespeare Club, which confines its activities to these. Recognising the need for a dramatic club of some sort, a group of local enthusiasts, led by Mr. W. H. Frye, has decided to produce Sutton Vane’s “Falling Leaves” next month, A theatre will be rented for two nights and on the patronage of the public depends the future of the repertory movement in Hamilton. If the experiment proves successful a public meeting will be called and a repertory society formed. In selecting Vane’s three-act comedy Mr. Frye has made a choice which should have a general appeal, and which should provide a fair test. The story concerns the eternal triangle and will give ample scope for each of the five characters. Miss Zelda,Mason, a young amateur who has already done much impressive work locally, has the only female role. She has shown marked talent and adaptability in rehearsals. The cast will also include Messrs. C. E. Shakeshaft and F. H. Clapham. Mr. Frye will, in addition to producing, shoulder nearly all the comedy. He can be depended upon to put over some bright and original "business.” There is really no reason why a flourishing repertory theatre should not exist in Hamilton. The population of the greater town is bordering on 18,000, and it is in the surrounding farming districts where interest in amateur dramatics is always keen. Of course, the repertory players, if they continue, will in no wise compete with the Operatic Society or the Shakespeare Club. Proposals for the Operatic Society’s season are still in the rough, although it is known that Mr. A. E. Manning, Hamilton’s veteran producer, will again be at the helm. It was Mr. Manning who piloted the record-break-ing "Katinka” in 1927. With a knack of making grass grow in dry places, and a habit of paying scrupulous attention to detail, Mr. Manning has been the corner-stone on which the society has built its enviable reputation.

This year’s production, Franz Lehar’s “Gipsy Love,” is really an operetta, but it contains a wealth of humour and ample scope for both soloists and the chorus. The music in some respects resembles grand opera, but it should present few difficulties to the local amateurs if the talent is anywhere near as good as last season. The personnel of the cast, which requires six women and four men, has not yet been fixed, but many of last year’s favourites are bound to be included.