LITTLE THEATRE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 August 1938, Page 7

LITTLE THEATRE

PROPOSED FORMATION OF SOCIETY. MEETING IN MASTERTON ON WEDNESDAY. Elsewhere in this issue appears a notice convening a meeting in the Y.M.C.A. Meeting Room on Wednesday next, August 3, at 5 p.m., for the purpose of considering the formation of- a local Little Theatre. For some time those interested in repertory work have felt that Masterton is inadequately catered for, and that there should be formed a strong and representative society, which would present three or four public productions each year, and which would encourage active participation in theatrical art. This proposal has the full sup-, port of the local branch of the British Drama League, which is anxious to see set up a strong society with open membership. The activities of such a society would, of course, be so regulated as not to trench upon the smaller dramatic clubs and play-reading groups which have been doing good work for many years. It happens that Masterton is fortunate in having now resident here two repertory experts in Messrs F. .E. McCallum and T. C. Wynne. Mr McCallum, who was recently appointed manager of the Regent Theatre, has been connected both with the professional and amateur stage, and is regarded in Auckland as one of the Dominion’s outstanding producers. Mr Wynne was for eight years stage manager for the Dunedin Repertory Society, ' which, with a membership of 1300, can probably claim to be the strongest and most efficiently organised society of its kind in New Zealand. Thus, with the services of two such able and experienced men available, it is thought the present is a most opportune time to launch the project, and the convenors extend a cordial invitation to all interested in the movement to attend the meeting on Wednesday.