"FEES INSTEAD OF TEAS"

New Zealand Listener, Volume 2, Issue 34, 16 February 1940, Page 30

"FEES INSTEAD OF TEAS"

Crusade Against Exploitation of Entertainers

RUSADING in any cause s brings rebuffs. Yet Isobel Langlands, of Auckland, who began a crusade two years ago for artists and entertainers, is not the sort of person to be discouraged easily. She came into The Listener office the other day to tell the story of the Auckland Entertainers’ Association. The Association was born as a protest-a protest against exploitation of entertainers by society hostesses and social clubs, Naturally it has roused hostility, but it has also had influential support. Such famous artists as Alexander Kipnis, Lotte Lehmann, Lawrence Tibbett, Josef Szigeti are already

behind it. Thorold Walters, managing editor of the Australian Musical News, wrote in a frank editorial: "Nothing but contempt is the due of all exploiters of the musical profession, whether they be private hostesses, concert clubs, or-to. be quite candid — those vicarious philanthropists who achieve personal social objectives by making use of other people, particularly musical artists." " Thick-Skinned Hostesses " Isobel ._Langlands insists, however, that "it is an entirely unselfish project, and not mercenary. Its objective is a better standard among artists, a better appreciation by audiences."

Society hostesses, she says, are notoriously thick-skinned, and unfortunately many of them still expect artists to give services free at social functions. The problem is one which even great artists have had to face. Alexander Kipnis, for example, has expressed surprise and indignation that so much is done in this country without fee or reward, "My astonishment," he said, "is even greater to learn that most of the clubs and societies, having ample means, expect some poor creature, trying to make his or her living out of art, to perform for them without the slightest remuneration. In all other parts of the world societies and clubs consider it a special honour and privilege to assist and support talent

which is trying to gain a foothold, Many famous artists of to-day had their start through such organisations. It seems to me that in Auckland and in other parts of the Dominion it is the poor artists who are supporting the wealthy societies. Making Headway The Auckland Entertainers’ Association is out to change all that; and although the fight is not an easy one, they are beginning to make some real headway. Miss Langlands hopes to form kindred Associations throughout the country. She feels that musicians and other artists must have the protection of a strong body. So, with "Fees instead of Teas" as her slogan, she is crusading to get ase sociations started in the main centres. Her Majesty's Part Her Majesty the Queen has, owing to the plight of professional musicians and entertainers in England as a result of the war, refused to attend any function unless the artists are paid. In Australia the movement has taken root also, At a recent meeting of the Musical Association of New South Wales, Alexander Sverjensky, of the Sydney Conservatorium, brought the matter forward. So the fight for recognition of artists goes on,