Amateur Theatre Stimulated By Professional Competition

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28253, 15 April 1957, Page 2

Amateur Theatre Stimulated By Professional Competition

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 14. More than 100 delegates representing about 16,000 members of amateur theatrical societies throughout New Zealand attended the annual meeting of the New Zealand Drama Council at Wellington yesterday. After formal business was concluded, a widespread discussion took place among the delegates about the status of the amateur theatre in New Zealand and its relationship with professional drama companies. The function of the amateur societies was to interest the community in theatre, said Mr R. J. Larkin, of the Matamata Dramatic Society. At all cdsts they must avoid “carrying culture to the masses.” If they tried to do that, they would very soon find that they co. Id not exist.

Some delegates considered that professional acting companies might oust the amateur groups in New Zealand, but after some,discussion it was agreed that each could be a stimulant to the other and that both could flourish in New Zealand. Producer Shortage The shortage in New Zealand of trained producers was discussed by the president (Mrs Mary Mackenzie) when she tabled the annual report. New Zealand amateur theatrical societies found it difficult to obtain producers for their plays, she said. TJiis was because there was no institution to train pr.ducers in this country. The council had found one solu-

tion to the problem by sending tutors to regional groups of societies. These tutors gave advice on the best way to produce certain plays and could help amateur producers to learn their job. New Zealand students of dramatic art who obtain Government bursaries to study overseas should always return to their own country and use their knowledge there, said Mrs G. T. Wiggs, of the Karori Repertory Society. Duty To Return

Mrs Wiggs said far too many students who travelled overseas to study on bursaries did not return. She considered it was their duty to do so. They had responsibilities to the theatre in their own country. When she was in London recently she had seen several New Zealand students and few of them were. keen to return here, she said. Mrs Wiggs also believed that too many students expected too much of the bursaries granted them by the Government. Bursaries were an aid to study but were not intended to provide all tutorial and living expenses.

Perhaps one way of keeping the best theatrical talent in New Zealand would be to establish a theatrical training centre in New Zealand, said Mrs Wiggs. This might also to some extent counteract the acute shortage of trained producers.

Officers elected were:—President, Mr C. G. Kirk (Nelson); vice-presidents, Messrs G. T. Wiggs (Wellington), W. E. Truman (Christchurch); executive. Mr W. N. Sheat and Mrs M. Mackenzie (Wellington), Mrs E. A, Atkinson (New Plymouth), Mr T. M. N. Rodgers (Palmerston North), Mr C. E. Wacher (Napier), Mr R. J. Larkin (Matamata), Mr J. L. Anderson (Dunedin), Mr H. P. Glen (Blenheim).