A CIVIC THEATRE?

Hutt News, Volume 18, Issue 43, 16 May 1945, Page 5

A CIVIC THEATRE?

Having, with great pleasure, witnessed the series of one-act plays

presented by the 1-lut.t Repertory Society, I feel J. must write to express my sympathy with this young society in the very difficult conditions under which it has to work. Having some little experience of things theatrical, 1 was amazed at. the excellence of the staging of four one-act plays, each in an entirely dilT erent setting, considering the almost entire lack of facilities. To put on four one-act plays such as these, in an equipped theatre is quite an achievement, but when one realizes just how lacking the hall is, the society has indeed something to be proud of; that it was well done was proved by the response of the audiences. Tl*it the much vaunted Hutt City is without a little theatre or even a hall where plays etc can be staged, is indeed a serious reflection, and the lack of such a facility imposes an intolerable strain upon those people who are compelled to use the existing halls, requiring, as it does, weeks of toil before plays can be presented in anything like an attractive manner. The strain on all concerned is not conducive to the best, from the players' point of view, nor from that of the audience who are required to for long periods between each act or play on benches which are, to say the least, not quite comfortable Sir, surely a city which claims to be one of the most progressive in the Dominion should quickly bestir itself to provide facilities*.suitable for the presentation of plays, recitals, concerts and lectures, etc., which-it is recognised are ail essential part of any city's cultural life.

Undoubtedly, "there is a war on," but thq writer could quote many cities and towns in the Dominion'not nearly as large as the Hutt City where such facilities have been available for years; indeed would particularise one town in the South Island with 8,000 of a population 25 years ago erected a building primar-

ily for this purpose, surely if a little town could do that, it must be possible for our City to do so.

May we take it that this matter is being provided for in the contemplated City Centre? If not, the writer would Vsuggest that our City Fathers give serious and sympathetic consideration to the matter. Finally a word to Mr. Ratepayer: Do not be apprehensive of the cost, as the writer knows that the theatre above referred to has proved a source of 'considerable revenue to the borough concerned. —-I am etc., ' MUMMER.