A NATIONAL THEATRE?

Radio Record, Volume VIII, Issue 45, 17 May 1935, Page 5

A NATIONAL THEATRE?

NTEREST- has been revived-in Wellington.in:a scheme for the establishment of a central theatre.to be used by musical and ‘repertory*societies, and we -publish today an article-covering the essentials of the proposal. There is: no ‘gainsaying, the fact- that there is. a ‘crying need in New' Zealand for greater co-operation ‘between cultural bodies, and the founding-of just such a theatre as the one suggested might lead to the eventual establishment of: a Nationa] Theatre in the Dominion. At the present time Christchurch is practically the only city in New Zealand which has, in the Radiant Hall, a theatre suitable for repertory productions © music recitals of the less ambitious type. Auckland, with a population nearing a quarter of a million, has recently been forced to abandon a scheme involvi:.g the sum of £29,000 for the erection of a "‘little theatre," while Wellington has little beyond the concert cham’ er of the Town Hall to offer the devotees of drama and music, Here, however, is an excellent opportunity for the Capital City to give a lead in establishing a theatre which would be available, not only for New Zealand performers, but, for visiting artists and small professional companies. , ste ’