ONE OF THE GREATEST STUDIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 269, 12 November 1937, Page 10

ONE OF THE GREATEST STUDIES

The Complicated Art of Theatrical Production.

"I can never 'be tired of saying that the art of producing is one of the greatest studies in the world. There is always something more to learn, said Miss Lydia Sydney, producer for the Young Age Theatre. London, in a talk given to members of the British Drama League in Auckland, last night. Apart from the study of the technique of acting, |*erio<t costumes and voice production, continued Miss Sydney, it was necessary for a producer to have more than an elementary knowledge of psychology aiul the art of diplomacy. It was in th» point, she said, that many of our modern producers failed. They had not yet grasped the full meaning of production, that is. the production of an artist as an artist and not merely a« a piece of furniture. Their main job lay in the bringing out of the author's meaning without elaboration, an<l this could only be accomplished by a psychological study of the characters concerned. The difference between direction and production was also described by Miss Sydney. "A great producer is born and not made," »Uie said, "but a great stage manager or director may be obtained by the constant study of stage craft. The difference lies in the fact that the producer produces the mood for the actor to produce, while the director directs the acting. If you could only see a great master producing you would i realise what a great art it is." Miss Sydney also spoke of New Zealand's possibilities in the world of the , theatre. "From what 1 have seen already you have plenty of scope for amateur acting,'' »he said. "Your keenness is itself an asset, and in a new country there is any amount of opportunity for building up something big . and lasting in the way of theatrical hiatory." She warned the amateurs not to despise the little things nor to give . way to the smaller difficulties that arose. All these things could be overcome if the love of the theatre was great enough. To illustrate her remarks Miss Sydney told a story of her own experiences of failure. "I was sitting in a London restaurant feeling that the end of the world had come," she said, "when a waitress came up to me and said, 'Aw, cheer up, honey, can't you kiss and make up.' It was very good advice and because the Young Age theatre was my love I did to. You can't expect auccess in everything, but as I am never tired of saying, the art of ?iroduction is one or the greatest studies n the world." Miss Sydney was presented with a bouquet of flowers by Mrs. McKail Qeddes, wife of the president of the British Drama League. Mr. J. D. Swan, 1a yicc-president of tie league, presided at the meeting and thanked Miss Sydney for her instructive addres*.