LITTLE THEATRE.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 43, 21 February 1927, Page 10

LITTLE THEATRE.

9 ■ AMBITIOUS SEASON'S PROGRAMME. FOUR PLAYS TO BE STAGED. Auckland's Little Theatre Society has every reason to be well pleased with its first function for the ll»27 season, and if the "At Home" held in the Music Hall of the University on Saturday evening can be taken as any indication, then*the new season will be very successful. The attendance was a marked demonstration of the enthusiasm of supporters. The hall was crowded, and uumbers had to be turned away. The Hon. George Fowlds, "chairman of the University College Council, congratulated the society on the growing interest taken by the people of Auckland, and said he accepted the invitation to be present in order to show the sympathetic concern of the university in the repertory movement. "A more ambitious programme will be carried out this year than has hitherto been attempted," said Mr. Leary. 'Instead of producing two plays a year it is intended to stage four. TVe will begin with Bernard Shaw's comedv, 'Vou Never Can Tell,' and the season will open on April 6. The committee has under earnest consideration for the succeeding productions Lord Dunsavv's play, If,' Eugene O'Neill's 'Anna Christie' and Sutton Vanes "Outward Bound.' The plays will be staged respectively in June, August and November." Mr. Leary said it was intended to present to members and the people of Auckland plays that would have little chance of being performed by visiting commercial companies. Like" all true educative forces, the Little Theatre did not set out primarily to educate, but rather did it attempt to educate by amusing and entertaining. So that this policy could be carried out with success, it had prevailed upon an eminent actor. Mr. Kenneth Brampton, to relinquish his profession and coach its members for the work before them. Mr. Brampton said he was delighted at being associated with the repertory movement in the city. He had already obtained a most asrreeable impression of the enthusiasm of its supporters and also of the dramatic talent to be found in their ranks. He was confident that the society had the makings of an organisation second to none in the repertory world of Australia and New Zealand. Mr. Brampton thought that all would enjoy the season of plavs to be given. The playlet "The Theatre" (Rubenstein) was delightfully performed bv a large number of plavers. including Mesdames C. Phillips, Humphrev Clark and Hentz. Miss Isolinde McVeagh and Mr. L. Armitage. The leading part was taken by Mr. F. McCallum. who cave a most creditable performance. Those who contributed to the evening's programme were Messrs. Ernest Snell and Alan MeElwain and Misses Maida Hooker and Berta Carr.