AUCKLAND ROTARY CLUB.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 214, 10 September 1928, Page 8

AUCKLAND ROTARY CLUB.

TO-DAY'S MEETING. ADDRESS BY ACTOR-MANAGER. There was the usual full attendance of members at to-day's lunch meeting of the Auckland Rotary Club, held in the Lewis Eady Concert" Hall. Mr. Geo. Hutchison (president) occupied the chair, and amongst the visitors were:— Messrs. A. E. Smith (Sydney), M. Cohen (Palmers ton North), M. Turtle (America), Beauchamp (Wellington), F. J. Nathan (Palmeraton North), T. E. Toneycliffe (Gisborne), W. T. Morrison (Rotorua), E. P. Turner (Wellington), H. Hedger (Sydney). ,

The speaker of the day was Mr. Percy Hutchison, actor-producer, of London, who prefaced his discourse by a number of humorous anecdotes. He then proceeded to talk of the conditions affecting the legitimate stage, based upon 30 years' experience as an actor-producer. Stating his own position as a link with the past, Mr. Hutchison said that since the war period the school of great actors had practically died out. After the war rents and general costs became so high that actor-managers in London could not get back into business. Millionaires an I big firms got control of the theatres. Then came the American invasion, with American comedies and unwholesome r ex plays. For these latter he had no time. Later came the mystery and crook dramas, which were not so undesirable a s those dealing with sex problems. However, he considered these livals to the legitimate stage only represented a passing phase. His experience was hat good wholesome drama adequa e y presented would always draw appreciative audiences. Broadcasting, u'li S 4 » wcre a, I competitors Howi J?'! thC ' n,lUßtr - v sevt ' le knocks. However, he was an optimist, and did not believe that tt.,7 -L u ■ , " 1 cm.1,1 fi , y mec hanical effect fould take the place of the actual breathing personality of the actor on the stage. Though the legitimate stage was comparatively speaking, under 2 cloud in London, this was by no means the case in the English-speaking world genet i u v S ° Clety of Actor-Managers of winch he was president, there were " le ™ b , e "; who were still carrying the English drama to the various countries of the world. Mr. Hutchison then spoke of the pre--ent Portion °f the British nation, and thrilled his hearers with an impassioned address on the greatness of the i Empire's heritage.