THE DRAMA TO-DAY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 236, 18 September 1936, Page 4

THE DRAMA TO-DAY

Interview with Miss Eliza* beth Loe EXPERIENCE ABROAD So-called elocution was deplored by Miss Elizabeth Loe, a well-known exponent of drama, in an interview with a “Tribune” reporter. She suggested that teachars should guard against children boeoming too pedantic and producing a stilted effect. Naturalness was imperative. Those ‘‘ precious and awful” voices were not desirable in dramatic work.

While acknowledging that the drama movement in New Zealand was in its infancy compared with what was being done abroad, Miss Loe felt that more rapid progress could be made if those concerned would accept criticism in the sincere spirit in which it was given. She found that there was a tendency to take things personally. Players should bo impersonal about their dramatic efforts and accept criticism for the good of the play. Miss Loe, who is English, lived in Hawke’s Bay for some time, but left to take advantage of a scholarship supplied by Miss Elsie Fogarty. For the past two and a half years she had been studying abroad. She has returned because of her keen interest in the dramatic movement in New Zealand. Miss Loe is an enthusiast and already she is inspiring the followers of drama in this country with her sincerity and wide knowledge. That dramatic' work fits a person for social life by giving understanding into aspects of life outside the actor’s usual environment, so making for tolerance and sympathy, is one of Miss Loe’s firm beliefs. EXPERIENCE GAINED ABROAD. Miss Loe had noticed, she said, that in some of the smaller dramatic societies the social standing of members was often the reason why they were given big parts. This was wrong. Ability was the only thing to consider in select ing a cast. Miss Loe studied the theoretical and practical side of drama at the Central School of Speech Training and Dramatic Art. Her work in New Zealand is being carried out in the interests of the British Drama League. At the conclusion of her training at the School of Dramatic Art, her histrionic ability, previously lauded by actors and managers in London, was recognised by her immediate engagement by the Hull Repertory Society, where she played for a season. An idea of her capabilities is contained in a tribute recently received in New Zealand from Mr. Geoffrey Whitworth, director of the British Drama League, London. “For the past year,” he says in a letter to the New Zealand branch of the League, “Miss Loe has been much more than a student. She has done professional acting at the Hull Repertory Theatre and her services have been constantly asked for at evening classes in London and elsewhere and for production. In short it has been oßvious that had she been able to remain in England, Miss Loe would have had a fine future. Everyone liked her and she has proved herself to be an accomplished actress and teacher.” STAGE PERSONALITIES. Miss Loe told a reporter how she gained entrance to a small barn theatre in Kent, converted as a men'orial to the iate Dame Ellen Terry. In this house could be seen a” the personal treasures and clothes worn by her in her stage appearances. Plays were presented in this small theatre about once a month, but annually a special performance was arranged by well-known actors in memory of Dame Terry. Invitations to these performances were difficult to obtain, and in ordinary circumstances Miss Loe could not have gained admittance; but she hud friends who were always invited and, on one lucky occasion when one could not go, she used the ticket. Miss Loe found herself among all sorts of interesting people there, including John Gielgud, Dame Sybil Thorndyke, Sir Philip Ben Greet, Lewis Casson, and other notables of the stage. Although New Zealand was so fa* away, said Miss Loe, thfire were people in England who took a keen interest in our people. Sir Philip Ben Greet had conversed with her on one or two occasions. He was interested in dramatic activities in the Dominion. Dame Sybil Thorndyke, who was well-known to New Zealand audiences, had a tender spot for the Dominion. Miss Loe is at present engaged on th. production of “The Shining Hour,” which is to be played in Hastings on September 28 by the Little Theatre Society,