Wanted: Central Theatre for Wellington

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 45, 17 May 1935, Page 6

Wanted: Central

Theatre for Wellington

WHAT the time is ripe-and more than ripe-for the establishment of a theatre devoted solely ' to the interests of the musical and repertory . societies of Wellington, was the view expressed to a "Radio Record" representative last week by various interested peopie. Enthusiasm for the project was expressed in many quarters, and it is hoped that the

, Scheme will not be allowed to die a natural death, The general idea is that a picture theatre in the city-the Artcraft Theatre in Molesworth Street, is the ‘one most freely mentioned-should be acquifed and turned into a cultural centre for the musical and dramatic interests of Wellington. The "Radio Record" inspected the theatre during the week-end and, apart from the limitations of the stage, it looks very suitable. . building is solidly constructed, about 18 or 19 years old and has excellent. acoustic proporties. The. seating capacity is about 700, the seats being comfortable and in good repair. . There is a dress circle ‘with ample lounge space on both the circle and stalls floors, while there would. be 20 car. parking problem in the vicinity. of. the theatre. At the present time the theatre is controlled by’ Kémball Theatres, Limited, but —

Mr. W. R. Kemball, junior, expressed the opinion that there has: long been a need for a centre in Wellington with which: the ‘cultural interests of ‘the city could. be identified"> | ., ."Théte is no’ reason why a’ theatre in:-Wellington . Should not grow into a miniatute Old Vic," said Mr. Leon de Mauny, conductor of the ‘Wellington Sym-. phon.Orchestta, when approached on the subject: "The Old. Vic. was started many years ago by Madame.Edith Conns, a.wealthy: woman who left a trust fund for the adniinistration of the theatré. It is now in the hands of Miss ‘Lillian Bayliss-and has grown into one of the biggest theatrical institutions in Great Britain.’ The

theatre has provided a wonderful training ground for young students, and, in the days when I lived in London, there was both an operatic and dramatic company performing. Grand opera was presented three times a week-two evening performances and

a matinee- and the other four nights were taken up with Shakespeare. There were 27 people in the orchestra for the operatic presentations and a smaller number for the Shakespearean evenings. "The enthusiasm was infectious and, although nobody was earning much, all the young studerits were as keen as mustard, doing all their own costume gind

scenery designing. Sybil Thorndike is one of the Old Vic graduatesand so is Tudor Davies. The ‘local-ity-the Old Vic is in one of the most atrocious parts of London, almost in a slum area-hasn’t detracted from its popularity one iota. The oublic has been attracted, and continues to be attracted, by the artistic worth of the programmes and by the cheapness of the seats. Some years ago the seats ranged from about five shillings down to threepence. I think’ the prices are a little higher now. "The Old Vic is run on a big scale, of course, but there is no reason why Wellington shouldn’t rey gard it as a model for a centrah theatre. There would, I think, be the need for establishing a fund of some thousands of pounds as a guarantee against loss. But there is little reason why there should be

a loss with such bodies as the Wellington Symphony Orchestra, the Apollo Singers, the Harmonic Society, the. Wellington Repertory Theatre, the Male Voice Choir, the Thespians, and the numerous smaller musical and dramatic societies to lend it support. I think a good idea would be to run seasons of music and drama on semi-professional lines until the theatre was firmly en.trenched." . ne "The general scheme is very sound," said Mr. W. S. Wauchop, producer for the Wellington -Repertory Theatre, "and I have felt for years that there is an Opening in Wellirigton for a small theatre with up-to-date accommodation both on the stage and in the audi-

torium. At the moment Wellington has-not a suitable theatre for repertory productions-the concert: chamber of the Town. Hall was never designed for the presentation of plays, and the Grand Opera House, in its rental and size, make it a-pretty hopeless proposition for repertory societies. Amateur musical shows might be produced with advantage, too, in an intimate’ theatre.

Hor instance, although ‘Miss Hook of -Holland’ had: an excellent season in the Grand Opera House, it just managed to clear expenses.. Similarly, when "The Wind and the Rain’ company returned to Welling-

ton for a-one-night season the Opera House was not available and the company had to travel'to Lower Hutt before it could find a suitable theatre. In this instance an up-to-date city theatre seating between 700 and 800 people would have filled the bill very nicely. "Visiting coricert artists, too, find the Town Hall too big and ‘unsympathetic’ to perform in, while professional companies presenting ‘straight’ plays and light. omedy could often show a bigger balance on the right ‘side of the ledger if there was an intimate theatre available for use. It is essential, however, that this theatre be maintained strictly as a theatre znd not Jet for dances or functions of that kind. i "The Radiant Hall in Christchurch is an excellent example of an intimate theatre. The various musical societies and the Canterbury Repertory Society must count themselves very fortunate in the possession of such an excellently-equipped little theatre. I see that Auckland has been forced to abandon ‘temporarily its scheme for the erection of an intimate theatre there, while Wellington has never had

any place approaching suitability for repertory productions. People might say that there would be no "catch" trade if. the Artcraft Theatre in Molesworth Street were acquired, but the -amount of "catch" trade for amateur musical and dramatic productions is so sinall that it scarcely matters, Anyway, the Town Hall and concert chamber are scarcely in a busy part of the city. "When I was at the Old Vic in London some months ago people were being turned away. It was the second of last performance of ‘King Richard IT’--a matinee-and T got the last seat in the house. We have often talked of reviving suc‘cessful. repertory productions in Wellington and, if.a theatre of-this . kind was acquired, it might be possible. .I would like to revive "A Bill: of Divorcement," the second play .in- the Repertory Theatre’s career, and there are: others

that I think would be successful, too." "There was a plan afoot for buying the Arteraft Theatre some years ago," said Mr. Thomas. Wood, con-ductor-of the Circassians Choir, "but nothing-cdme of it. My choir would be very pleased to see something achieved in the matter, as, at the present time, we are packed like sardines.on the stage of the concert:

It’s a rotten: place. too, for. -acousticsThe . location: of the theatre, in. my opinion, doesn’t .matter, and .there: should he no lack of bookings for an_ intimate theatre of the. type suggested. It:should be possible to‘form.a

company the shares being taken out by. people interested in the cultural development of the city." — "If a central theatre was availablein: the: city," said Mr. A. J. Heighway, president of The-Thespians: (incorpor ated), a thriving and fairly new dramatic society in Wellington, * ‘it would encourage suburban societies ‘to organise their dramatic and musical talent. with a view to providing performances in the city theatre.’ For instance, the Hutt Liedertafel, which- has: broadcast:on several occasions from the King- George Theatre at Lower Hutt, is an excellent combination -which: could extend its seasons if a sttitable theatre was-available in Wellington. "The Thespians, which is less than two years-old, has 400 members, the majority of them actively.engaged in dramatic work. If.such a theatre as the-one suggested-and for which there is manifest -need:as.an adjunct to Wellington’s cultural amenities-was brought into being, miy society would most certainly lend’ it'every support." ,

Scheme for Repertory and Musical Societies To Acquire Property As Cultural Centre