AMATEUR OPERATICS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19931, 27 April 1928, Page 14

AMATEUR OPERATICS.

LOSS ON LAST PRODUCTION. RAISING OF THEATRE RENT. SOCIETY IN A QUANDARY.

Difficulties face the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society owing to the increased rents of theatres and the loss incurred on the production of last year's opera, with the result that uncertainty prevails whether an opera can be produced profitably this year. The unenviable position in which the society finds itself was outlined at .the annual meeting last evening. It was le grettable, the annual report stated, that owing to a combination of circumstances the production of the comic opera "La Mascotte" showed a loss of £135. Happily, through tho letting of the society's hall m Grafton Road, and the hire of scenery to various amateur societies throughout the Dominion, the year's balance was on the right side with a profit of £B6, and the balance-sheet was in a healthy condition, but the difficulty of getting a fair return financially on the annual musical productions needed careful consideration.

In moving the adoption of the report, Mr. W. W. Bruce, chairman .of the committee, who presided, said an obstacle had arisen in the shape of an increase in the rent of His Majesty's Theatre, for which something in the nature of, £250 a week was asked, as against £l5O paid previously. The expenses of tho staff and lighting would be extra. The committee had declined to.pay-this rent, which could not possibly be met in view of last year's loss, but hoped the lessees would see their way to reconsider their demand and enable the society to stage a production this year. Mr. J. H. Jackson, treasurer, said the total takings at last year's production amounted to £1674, cpmpared with approximately £2OOO taken by "The Abbess of Whitby," produced two years ago, and it cost roughly £l5O less to produce than previous shows. There had also been a falling off in the number of subscribers, resulting in a decrease of £4O in the rovenue from that source.

The chairman said they would not bo justified in putting on an expensive production like "The Belle 'of New York," as had been suggested, if the rent were high and the public "let the society down" as it did last year. They were obliged to put on what the public would go to see rather than stage an opera on its merits.

, ; 3.'he report was adopted. The officers were elected as follows: President, Mr. F. Earl, K.C.; vice-presi-dents, Captain H. J. Redmond, Drs. W. H. Parkes and C. E. Maguire, Messrs. A. W. Gillies, H. P. Kissling, E. 11. Davis, E. J. Prendergast, 0. Nicholson, V. J. Larner. P. H. Upton, J. F. Ewen, A. M. Ferguson and E. A. Anderson; committee, Miss E. Rao, Messrs. W. W. Bruce, L. P. Leary, J. P. Stevenson, F, E. de Guerrier N. B. Levien, A. V. Hunt, , W. J. Crowther, G. B. Plummer, H. B. Giesen, R. T. Sawers, and L. A. Eadv; honorary secretary, Mr. H. T. Goldie; honorary treasurer, Mr. J. H. Jackson; honorary auditor, Mr. N. A. Duthie; social committee, Mrs. A. V. Hunt, Misses Rao, Craig and Fowler, Messrs. A. Prentice and R. L. Fenwick.

It was stated that steps were being taken, with the assistance of Mr. P. A. Richards, to organise an amateur orchestra as nn adjunct to the society. Miss Ince. wardrobe mistress, and Mr. Crowther, who was responsible for the settings, were thanked for their assistance during the year.

SOCIETY OP OTOEOHANOA. "THE ARCADIANS" TO BE STAGED. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OTOROHANGA, Thursday. The annual meeting of the Otorohanga Operatic Society was presided over by Mr. W. Nelson. The balance-sheet showed a credit of ,£6 14s Bd. Oificors were elected as follows: —President, Mr. F. Phillips; vice-president, Mr. W. Babe; secretary, Mr. W. Nelson; assistant secretary, Mr. Spencley Fry; committee, Me'sdaines Bell, • Stagg and Quin, and Messrs. W. «T. C. Patterson, V. Stagg, A. Patterson, J. A. Tarleton and A. Bell; musical director, Mrs. Bell; conductor, Mr. Moeller; wardrobe mistress, Mrs. Atkinson. It was stated that " The Arcadians " may be produced this season.