BETTER TIMES COMING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 912, 4 March 1930, Page 14

BETTER TIMES COMING

ACTOR VIEWS DEPRESSION POSITION IN SYDNEY Cheer up, actors! There are better i times coming. I “This is based on the assumption that no worse times can come.” says Alfred Frith in the “Sunday Pictorial News.” “What am I doing these days? Nothing. I have not even contemplated starting a banana stall at Coofeee. Later on I will have a pop at producing three good comedies, but times must improve first. “I had to finish at the Grand Opera House when Bellairs put on drama, in which I have no place. “My style is cramped, for J.C.W. have not relinquished their right to stop me working for a period of six months.

“In reply to my application, I was granted a special dispensation to appear at the Opera House only.” General business depression, says Frith, is more to blame for the theatrical slump than are the talkies. Shows with good casts are still supported. “Why blame the public,” he asks, “for preferring talkies to mediocre entertainment? Theatrical managers have made no serious attempt to combat the talkies. “Anyway, it is being proved in other countries that talkies have not proved a death-blow to the stage. Some talkies are good, but, as for most — you can get a good impression of them by talking loudly into an empty water-jug! Try it. “I am particularly sorry for the musicians. No canned music can compare with that provided by our own orchestras.”

Frith grinned whimsically. “However,” he said, “it is a great life, and its ups and downs are just so much spice.” An Englishman writing about Australia suggested that the Government should subsidise Australian theatres. To this Mr. C. B. Westmacott (J. C. Williamson, Ltd.) replied: “Which firm would get the subsidy? A ridiculous idea!” And Mr. George Marlow adds:—“We want only public patronage, and we don’t want the Government to bolster up something they know nothing about. “Fight the talkies by putting an embargo of 10s on every foot of film which comes from America!”