DRAMATIC ART

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 137, 13 June 1939, Page 6

DRAMATIC ART

REPERTORY PLAYERS

BALANCED PROGRAMMES

"In considering the results of the year under review, the true inquiry is, to what extent has the society stimulated interest in dramatic art amongst its members and in the community, provided aesthetic pleasure and entertainment for its audiences, and given to its active members opportunities to express themselves in terms of dramatic art?" said Mr. W. Fergusson Hogg, chairman, speaking at last night's annual meeting of the Wellington Repertory Theatre.

Referring to the difficulties with which the committee was confronted, Mr. Hogg said that they had to keep in mind always that/the society's objective was to educate and not merely to pander to popular taste. They had to endeavour also to balance these programmes between the light and the heavy. They were confronted, too, with a growing tendency of modern playwrights to refuse to release their works for production in the hope that they might realise on film rights. Consequently, many dramatic works; eminently suitable for production by the society, were not available. Again, many good plays which were available presented insurmountable difficulties in relation to casting. As regards the classics, in particular Shakespeare, the fact must be admitted that, in this strenuous age, the works of that great author were not studied, and consequently not understood, as much as they were a generation or so ago.

Recently, said the chairman, the society had received from the Playreaders a handsome gift which would further augment its already Important library. The Playreaders might with; fairness be regarded as the parent of the society, and indeed of all existing dramatic societies in the city. At a general meeting of the bPlayreaders held recently, it was resolved to wind up and it was also decided to present its important collection of plays to the society. A motion expressing gratitude was passed. Mr. Hogg praised, collectively and individually, all those who had been of service to the society. One of the remarkable features of the society was the spirit of co-operation and camaraderie which permeated its active members.

It was decided to make a donation of fifteen guineas to the funds of the British Drama League. Officers were elected as follows: — President, Mrs. E. W. G. Coleridge; vice-presidents, Messrs. William M. Page, W. S. Wauchop, and W. Simm; committee, Messrs. J. E. L. Baldwin, A. O. Heany, W. - Fergusson Hogg, Ralph Hogg. E. E. Le Grove, Mrs. H. Ivatt Graves, and Misses Ailsa Newton, Pauline Shotlander, and Coralie Smythson; hon. secretary, Mr. G. H. A. Swan; assistant hon. secretary, Mr. R. C. Morpeth; hon. treasurer, Mr. R. E. Pope; hon. librarian, Miss I. Smythson. *