“DISGUSTING”

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 360, 15 February 1937, Page 4

“DISGUSTING”

STRATFORD TOWN HALE. Views Of Famous Stage Comedian. “Disgusting, and absolutely unworthy of the town,” was how Mr. George Wallace, famous Australian comedian, described the Stratford Town Hall to the “Central Press” this morning prior to the departure of the Connors and Paul Revue Company for Hawera. "It is not equal to the halls I have seen In towns not one-quarter of the size of Stratford.”

Such outspoken comment by Mr. Wallace wasf not inspired by the form of question asked. At that stage nothing had been said about the interest the “Central Press” has taken in our civic centre. He was asked what did he think of the Town Hall, and “disgusting” was the immediate reply—a reply supported by other members of the company who joined in the conversation.

“We have never seen halls more in contrast,” said Mr. Wallace, "than the one we played in at New Plymouth and the local one In -which we showed on Saturday night. Admittedly. New Plymouth is a much larger town, but when we saw the ghastly barn in which we had to show in Stratford, we were simply disgusted. Why do the citizens of such a neat, clean and progressive-looking town like this allow the civic authorities to ‘get away’ with such a Town Hall? Why, it is not worthy of a country village!” There was no disguising the fact that Mr. Wallace and the other members of his company were annoyed at the stage accommodation they had to face oh Saturday night. They were unable to stage their performance with one-eighth ot their usual show and display. "An* tell the town thia,” aaid Mr. Wallace, aa he clambered on board the train, "you’ll never get a decent show in the town again while you offer such a poor hall. And you’ll never develop j your own local shows. Your | Town Hall Is definitely detrimen- ! tai to the musical and entertainI ment life of Stratford.”