A HORRID WARNING
Sir,-Mr. Harbord misjudges me. I intended him no ridicule, and I am sorry he should take it so. May I amplify my point? I believe the theatre in New Zealand will flourish only when a large body of persons is prepared to take it seriously as a living force. And an essential first stage in this campaign is the generation of strong feeling about it. Mr. Harbord by his passion and vehemence implies such seriousness and I must therefore regard him as an ally. If we do not agree, so much the better. Art thrives on controversy. I cannot claim Mr, Harbord’s experience in four: continents, nor do I claim to be right. Critics are often wrong in detail, Bernard Shaw did not care greatly for The Importance of Being Earnest when it was first produced, and he had a high opinion of the plays of Henry James. He was, nevertheless, the greatest critic
of his time by his wit, eloquence and passion. This passion Mr. Harbord shares with him, and I venture to suggest, with me. Would it be going too far to suggest that we are brothers-in-arms against the hydra-headed Enemy, Public Indifference? For that is our real adversary. Let us gird our armour on, Poise our lances at the ready, and enter the lists together. True, we make our entrances from opposite gates, but the dragon is equally vulnerable from fore and aft. And though, to the gallery, we may appear poles apart, the long and the short-haired of it, the careful observer will see fluttering from both our helms, oe favour of our wayward mistress and sovereign lady, the Drama.
BRUCE
MASON
(Wellington).
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 789, 3 September 1954, Page 5
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280A HORRID WARNING New Zealand Listener, Volume 31, Issue 789, 3 September 1954, Page 5
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