NEW ERA FOR THE STAGE

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 154, 27 March 1937, Page VII (Supplement)

NEW ERA FOR THE STAGE

“JT IS our object that the legitimate stage shall again take its rightful place in New Zealand and Australia,” said Mr. A. Ben Fuller, a governing director of John Fuller and Sons. Ltd., when interviewed on the Niagara at Auckland. Mr. Fuller Is on his way to Suva to meet Mr. A. B. Marcus, noted American stage producer, who is on the Aorangi. Mr. Marcus is accompanied by a company of SO artists, which will tour New Zealand.

Mr. Fuller said half-hearted attempts to revitalise the legitimate stage were foredoomed to failure. In consequence a policy of bold enterprise had been decided upon. His father. Sir Benjamin Fuller, was negotiating with big stage stars and companies for New Zealand and Australian appearances. The company on board the Aorangi was, said Mr. Fuller, tl]e largest ever brought from the United States to New Zealand. The initial cost of landing it in New Zealand would be £5OOO, and travelling expenses in the Dominion would add another £lOOO. The show included a ballet of 40, after the style of the famous Tiller girls. Scenery and effects with the show weighed 195 tons. A survey had shown that the largest stages in New Zealand were just capable of accommodating the show. The New Zealand tour may last 16 weeks, and the company will then go on to Sydney.