AMATEUR THEATRE

New Zealand Listener, Volume 21, Issue 532, 2 September 1949, Page 5

AMATEUR THEATRE

Sir,-I was interested to read the article, "Drama in the Backblocks," in the July 1st issue. The efforts made in Auckland rural areas to "sell" the idea of drama are commendable. Here in the Buller Mining Districts’ Community Centres’ area we have had a similar scheme in operation, with really outstanding results. It is generally acknowledged that in the last few years interest in dramaserious, intelligent interest-has grown tremendously. It is not generally realised that the greatest growth has not been in the cities (where dramatic activities have become more polished and less haphazard), but in the small towns and, villages, where tiny groups have whipped up a latent enthusiasm until thousands of people have found in "amateur theatricals" the means by which they can make use of their artistic and creative ability. Beginning is the greatest hurdle such groups have to overcome, and few instances can be found of smali drama groups having formed and then slipping into oblivion. With the growth of our community centres comes the opportunity to form affiliated drama clubs which can exchange visits and ideas. The idea of presenting a play in the towns where community centres have been newly formed, with a minimum of properties and a set which could be quickly adapted to any stage, was originated by Mr. Colin Hansen, who felt that a company could be found prepared to undertake a tour of the district to places which normally do not get an opportunity to see plays performed. This ‘idea was enthusiastically received by us and so the company, which decided to call itself "The Company of Five," came into being. The company’s chief difficulty was to find a suitable play; it had to be more than cheap comedy, less than serious drama, with a small cast (because few people could be found who were able or prepared to give up weeks of spare time to rehearsal and week-ends to travelling) and a setting which required the fewest essentials. It had to be a play which, while at the same time being interesting and amusing, could be simply done, so that local groups could copy the production methods used or profit by the mistakes made, but, above all, see that something could be done with little. The search ended with The Mollusc and the set was then designed so that the major part of it consisted of "suggestion" rather than the real thing. It may well be asked what good all this activity is to the community and to the individual, At the lowest valuation it is a pleasant and sociable hobby and brirgs the carpenter, the teacher, the baker, the clerk, the coalminer and the farmer together to work as a team for a common purpose; it takes them out of themselves and makes them look at a different kind of life through someone élse’s eyes. We already have proof of the success of this venture. People from each of our nine community centres are now asking for more live drama, and three clubs have already sprung into being. ; In conclusion, Sir, may I say that this same group of people has, in conjunction with the Westport Dramatic Society, experimented with arena staging in the presentation of Priestley’s play I Have Been Here Before. It would seem that

this type of production is one which could be used. extensively in our poorly equipped country halls. 2 We wonder if, such enterprise and missionary zeal, as displayed by the Company of Five, have been in evidence in any other district in New Zealand.-

THOS.

MUIR

Organiser-Secretary,

Buller Mining District’s Community

Centres.

(Interest in the amateur theatre is undoubtedly growihg throughout New Zealand. We have given it practical recognition by devoting a great deal of space in this issue to special articles on various features of the movement.