THE LITTLE THEATRE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19567, 21 February 1927, Page 14

THE LITTLE THEATRE.

SOCIETY'S EXPANSION. :5,•• s * • yii > j 1 '.7": r• i plans for the season. FOtfß PLAYS TO BE GIVEN. INTEREST IN THE MOVEMENT. The Auckland Little Theatre's plans for the coming theatrical season, involving a two-fold expansion of its former activities, Wore announced at an At Homo held in tho music room at the University College bn Saturday evening. A remarkable demonstration of the interest taken in tho society and its nffajrs since its formation two years ago was the crowded attendance, 600 people being packed into the auditorium after numbers had been turned away. The members and guests "were received by the president of the society, Mr. L. iP. Leary, and Mrs. Leary, and afterwards listened to an entertaining programme, including a one-act play. During the evening Mr. Leary introduced those piesent to the new producer, Mr. Kenneth Brampton, who will stage the society's productions in the future. The Hon. George Eowlds, chairman of slie council of tho University College, congratulated the society on the growing 'interest taken in its activities by the people of Auckland. ITo had accepted an invitation to bo present in order to show 'the sympathetic concern of the university in the repertory movement, which was a growing force in the literary and intellectual life of the world and a reflection of the recent revival of English drama. Mr. Leary announced that a more ambitious programme would be carried out this year than had hitherto been attempted. Instead of producing two plays a year it was intended to stage four, beginning with Bernard Shaw's comedy, ?Tou Never Can Tell." The season would .iopen on April 6.-% For the succeeding productions the committee had under earnest consideration Lord Dunsany's play, "If," Eugene O'Neill's "Anna Christie, and Sutton Vane's "Outward Bound." These plays would be . staged respectively in ' June, August and November. Referring to the objects of tho society, Mr. Leary said it was intended to present to its members and the people of Auckland plays that would have little chance of being performed bv visiting commercial •companies. By this he did not moan that the productions would be devoid of entertaininent. Like all true educative forces, the Little Theatre did not set out .primarily to educate, but rather did it attempt to educate by -amusing and entertaining. In order to carry out this policy 1 | With the greatest assurance of success it had prevailed upon an eminent actor, Mr. Kenneth Brampton, to relinquish his i profession, and ,coach its active members i for the work before them. , Mr. Brampton expressed his delight at i being associated with the repertory movement in Auckland. He had already ob- : tained a most agreeable impression of the 5 number and enthusiasm of its followers and of the dramatic talent to be found in : their ranks. He was perfectly confident , the society bad the makings of an organ- : isation second to none in the repertory World of Australia and New Zealand. Referring to the. plays it was intended [' to produce this .year, Mr. Brampton said ; that' Lord Dunsauy and Eugene O'Neill i -were two dramatists of tho greatest moment .in the repertory world of to-day. | He thought all would enjoy tho season of plays that Would be given. , Contributors to the programme were ■ Misses Maida Hooker and Bcrta Carr and Messrs. Ernest Sriell and Alnn McElwain. 1 The playlet, '/ The Theatre," by Ruben- ; stein, was performed by a largo number of playors, including Mesdames C. Phillips, Humphrey Clark and Kent'/, Miss Isolinde McVcagh and Mr. L. Armitage. The principal role was played most effectively by Mr. F. McCallum.