AMONG THE AMATEURS.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19887, 16 May 1936, Page 19 (Supplement)

AMONG THE AMATEURS.

HAMILTON OPERATIC SOCIETY. CAN IT BE REVIVED? At a meeting of the Hamilton Operatic Society this week much enthusiasm was shown, and it was obvious that members were eager to “ carry on.” The society has a reputation for past successes of which it has reason to be proud, and there is a strong feeling that if the old stalwarts come bach into the ranks, the present members rally round, new talent links up, and the society receives the support from [he townspeople which it deserves, Hamilton will once again have cause to be proud of its Operatic Society. Even the debt facing it is not an insurmountable difficulty, for the society has had to face such a position before -and has emerged triumphantly. I was gratified at the tone of the meeting. There was a recognition ol the fact that if success Is to be achieved all little undercurrents of illfeeling must disappear and everyone work together amicably, so that the -society may become again the “happy family” it used to be. It Is a wonder to me that representative people of the town do not take more Interest In such a society, for It Is definite community work. Here are about 100 young people, provided with wholesome recreation for several months in the year, and given the chance of developing talent that might otherwise never be fostered. Surely such an organisation deserves the active interest of the people of the town, especially when an outlet for talent Is so limited owing to modern conditions. At the meeting a committee was set up to see what support would be forthcoming from old and new members and others Interested if a production was decided on. The future of the society depends upon the response to that appeal. Will Hamilton let Its Operatic Society die ? The answer to th*at question rests with the people themselves. A CULTURAL CENTRE. HAMILTON’S GREAT NEED. As emphasised In our correspondence columns, a crying need In Hamilton Is the provision of a cultural centre—a hall seating from 600 to 800 people, with an artistlo environment, comfortable seating (a very necessary Item!), and obtainable at a rental within the reach of play-reading circles and kindred societies.

The erection of such a hall might well be considered by the municipal authorities, who have a duty to the community to provide artistic and .social amenities as well as the more material things of life. It is probable that the hall would quickly become self-supporting, for there are many societies in the town which would find it just what they wanted. The forthcoming British Drama League Festival, which will draw crowds of competitors and visitors from all over the district, directs particular attention to Hamilton’s great need. What a Boon! The following words (spoken by Lady Gordon in Sydney last week) are particularly applicable to Hamilton:— “Since the war the number of repertory theatre societies has gone on Increasing steadily all over the world. But we need a theatre, and badly, and I think the time has arrived when we should all co-operate, and make a valiant effort to wake up the “Powers that be” to the realisation of what a boon a perfectly equipped civio theatre would be to the cultural life of the community.” OTHER PRODUCTIONS. Hamilton Playbox. The Hamilton Playbox read 44 The Romantic Age,” a delightful comedy by A. A. Milne, on Wednesday night, under the direction -of Miss Gady Hodgson. The reading proved very enjoyable. The cast was as follows:—Mrs Knowle, Mrs Clive Henry; Air Henry Knowle, Mr Ernest Marsh; Melisande, Mrs Z. Fahey; Jane, Miss Coral Hosking; Bobby, Air R. Green; Gervase, Mr Graham Absolum; Gentleman Susan, Air Brown; Ern, Mr AI. Simcock; Alice, Miss Maisic Hewelson. Competitions at Winter Show. The music, elocution and dancing competitions at the Waikato Winter Show promise to be a popular feature. The classes cover a wide range, and are attracting numerous entries. The vaudeville acts arranged by the association for the main hall will also be very entertaining, and are sure to please the crowds. “ Laburnum Grove ” at Wellington. The Thespians will stage “ Laburnum Grove," by J. B. Priestly, at Wellington next month, under the direction of Victor S. Lloyd. The part created in the original production by Edmund Gwenn, will be played by 0. N. Gillespie, and other members of the cast will be Vera Horton, Dorothy Tansley, Betty Wilson, A. D. Priestley, Myles F. E. Wright, Evan Harrowell, and Reg. Larkin. Plays Staged by High School Pupils. " The Dragon,’’ by Lady Gregory, and " Kingdom of Hearts,” a fantasy, were staged by the pupils of the Christchurch Girls’ High School last week. The incidental music was provided by the school orchestra. Drama as Means of Self-Expression. Elizabeth Blake, in an address at Palmerston North, expressed the opinion that, drama was the real, natural means of self-expression of the British people, to a greater extent than music. In New Zealand a national theatre ought to he established for national recreation, which was closely linking what was being done on the same subject in the Mullier Country Continued in next column.)

and In other parts of the Empire. Community drama should be developed as a means of encouraging the right use of leisure, which was tremendously Important. Drama was a means of developing human happiness, said Miss Blake. Junior Drama Festival at Palmerston. The Junior festival of the Palmerston North branch of the British Drama League was a great success. Six teams entered, and the adjudicator was Elizabeth Blake. The results were:— “B ” Certificates. Wolf,” Boys’ High School Dramatio Club; “ The Invisible Duke,” Boys’ High School Dramatio Club. 44 C ” Certificate. —" The Princess and the Players,” St. Andrew’s Junior Players, Levin. “D ” Certificates.—“ The Unhappy Clown,” Junior Library Players; “My Lady Greensleeves,” Junior Library Players; Trial Scene from “A Merchant of Venice,” Y.W.C-A. Lyceum Club. Aliss Blake said that often in amateur work there was a good deal of wrong to get rid of, but in Palmerston North there were no bad faults to undo, although the plays could bo built on. Critlolsm of Drama Class. Four one-act plays—" The Pacifist,” “ The Alotlier,” 44 Bath Sheba of Saaremma,” and 44 Happy Death, Ltd.”— were staged by the drama class of the Canterbury Repertory Theatre last week. A Christchurch paper said:—Although there were individual signs of promise, the general standard reached by players was disappointing. None of the plays chosen was really suitable. At all times the players were acting—they never allowed the personality of the character, as they interpreted it, to reach the audience. There was plenty of acting, but this lack of sympathetic interpretation gave an air of artificiality to the whole proceedings. On the other hand the fault usually dogging amateur shows of this type, faulty acquaintance with lines and cues, was almost entirely absent. Women’s Institute Drama Festival. The Eastern Southland Federation of Women’s Institutes concluded its highly successful drama festival at Gore last week when there was again a Urge and enthusiastic audience. At the conclusion of the festival the judsre extended her congratulations to the various groups and said that a high standard had been reached. The marks awarded were as follows;—Mandeville (“Playgoers’ . 75; Gore No. 1 ("Little Glass Houses” , 73; Alataura (“Danse Macabre" . 69; Gore No. 2 ("Thursday Evening" . 69; Waikaka ("A Marriage Has Been Disarranged" , 68; Biversdale ("Our Aunt from California"), 63; Waipahi ("the Price of Coal”), 65. Other Activities. “ Lady Frederick.” by Somerset Maugham, was read by the Wanganui Repertory Society last week. L