NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20962, 27 August 1931, Page 10

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

THE STATE OF THE THEATRE. A vigorous protest against the suggestion that the theatre is a dying industry has been made by Mr. Charles B. Cochran:—"Not for many years has the theatre been in such a healthy condition as at present," he declared in a letter to the Times. " The talkie bogy of two years ago has been completely pulverised. When the producers of silent films took on dialogue, they became overnight showmen instead of manufacturers of tinned goods with a series of chain stores for distribution. The novelty of sound with picture has "worn off, and it is now up to the show. The goodwill of the cinema house has vanished. Just like the theatre of the flesh and blood drama, the mechanical theatre does business only when its show appeals to the public; the picture that the public does not cotton to means empty seats. All the WestEnd theatres, with shows which have hit (ho public taste, are doing fine business. The public taste is improving. Talkies have created a desire for good dialogue and interest in new forms of production. I am convinced there is a larger potential theatre-going public to-day than at any time in my experience. All wo managers have got to do is to jjlay up, instead of playing down. No longer must we say, ' I think this play, is good, but it is over the heads of the public,' but rather, perhaps, ' It is a bit over my head, but the general public will like it.' The manager who thinks ho is catering for a lot of morons is lost. An eager, hungry army of playgoers has arisen, and no matter how bad industrial conditions may become t the theatre will bo the last industry to suffer, if theatrical managers will march with the times."