H.B. DRAMA LEAGUE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 152, 14 June 1935, Page 6

H.B. DRAMA LEAGUE

Past Year’s Successes FESTIVAL COMPETITIONS Scroll of Honour Proposal The annual general meeting of the Hawke’s Bay Drama League was held in the Pasadena tearooms, Hastings, last night, Mr Cecil Duff presiding over a good attendance. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Patron, Mr E. J. Herrick; president, Mr Cecil Duff; vice-presi-dents, Messrs H. W. C. Baird, A. Giorgj, G. A. Maddison, A. E. Renouf, M. 8. Spence, E. L. Sutro, W. G. Wood, F. Ward, Mesdames W. A. Whitlock and R. H. Tod, Miss I. Stollery, and one to be appointed from Gisborne; secretary and treasurer, Mr J. 0. Kelsey; musical director, Miss M. Collins; executive committee, Messrs C. Duff (chairman), B. Chadwick, B. B. Sinclair, H. Browning, and E. L. Sutro; council, delegates from the affiliated clubs and societies. The annual report, which was adopted without discussion, read as follows: “The council has pleasure in stating that the past year has been a most successful one, in that much work has been achieved, and that the support given to the league from the district has been most encouraging. The principal object of the league, which is to encourage the art of the theatre, both fori its owin sake and as a means of intelligent recreation among the whole community, has been enhanced during the year by a splendid co-operation or all members. Festival.—The league held its fourth district annual festival for three nights in September at the Assembly Hall, Hastings. Nine teams entered, and the council extends its most sincere congratulations to the Napier Repertory Players, whose two entries won first and second places with “The Road of Poplars’’ first and “Mother of Judas” second. Miss Kiore King acted as adjudicator. Her criticisms were most helpful to all players, as well as to the audience, and the teams benefited greatly from this. Each member realises that it is only by such constructive criticism that excellence can bo attained. NORTH ISLAND SEMI-FINAL. The North Island Semi-final Festival was held in Hastings at the Municipal Theatre just after the district festival last year. Five teams from Manawatu, Wairarapa, Wellington, Southern Hawke’s Bay and Hawke’s Bay competed. Mr A. Goodwin acted as adjudicator and awarded the first place to the Napier Repertory Players team —“The Road of Poplars.” This team then competed at Timaru at the final festival and gained second place. The semifinal festival was most successful, and financially the headquarters of the British Drama League in Wellington benefited. The parent body over the past few years has found finance very difficult at times, and it was gratifying that our efforts in holding the North Island semi-final festival locally gave a fillip to their funds. National Executive.—-The council appointed Mrs W. A. Whitlock and Mr E. L. Sutro as its delegates to the national executive of the British Drama League. This executive has accepted the invitation of the Hawke’s Bay Drama League to hold the final festival for 1935 at Hastings on October 3. Financial—The statement of accounts for the year shows an excess of expenditure over income of £l3 19/4. This loss for the year is mainly attributable to donations to the national executive and to the travelling fund, two most worthy causes which the council felt it should support. Secretary.—During the year Mr A. Holland, secretary to the league, tendered his resignation as his duties precluded him from continuing this office. The council is most apreciative of the splendid service rendered by Mr Holland in his capacity as secretary, and previous to that as treasurer to the league. The council has been fortunate in persuading Mr J. O. Kelsey to take up the duties of secretary and treasurer to the league. Appreciation.—The council wishes to express its most sincere appreciation to the Press for their liberal co-operation; to Miss King, who acted so capably as adjudicator; to Mrs W. A. Whitlock, for her able representation at the national executive meeting at Auckland; and to Mr P. J. Priest, for his work in auditing the league’s books and accounts. GENERAL BUSINESS. “That, with a view to eliminating excessive competition and the presentation of cups and trophies at Drama League festivals, a scroll of honour be substituted, and that the judge’s criticism be given to each team as previewsly, but that only the winning team be announced, and no points awarded to any competing team in the festival be disclosed” was the recommendation made by the council to the various affiliated bodies. Following a lengthy discussion it. was decided to hold over the matter for further consideration in view of the fact that only three replies to the circular had been received. Mr H. W. C. Baird moved that it be a recommendation to the council that the question of reverting to the old system of having two grades be coni'dered. This was seconded by Mr P. J Priest and was carried.

In accordance with the wishes of the donor it was decided to discontinue the extension of the library, and that the books should be distributed to the various affiliated clubs and societies as required. On the motion of Mr H. Browning, seconded by Mr Holland, it was reconi mended that the council consider the question of arranging lectures on various subjects relating to the activities of the league.