REPERTORY THEATRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22099, 3 May 1935, Page 13

REPERTORY THEATRE

PROJECT ABANDONED

MODIFIED PLAN SUGGESTED

A proposal to erect a theatre on a site in Upper Queen Street to serve the needs of the various amateur dramatic societies in the city has been abandoned, owing to lack of financial support. Application money for shares has been returned, but the subscribers have been invited to contribute to a trust fund and already about half of the money has been returned to the promoter, Mr. J. D. Swan, to bo used jn whatever manner is decided upon. A. meeting of (subscribers to appoint trustees and to decide on future action will be called within the next fortnight. "The proposal is no longer a financial venture," said Mr. Swan last night, " and I have been very surprised at the large number of people who have returned their money, showing that they are interested purely in the artistic side. I have received assurances from many others that once a definite plan is decided upon they will also return their money. As vet it is indefinite what will he done but it may be decided to acquire a small hall, with ample space for a good stage and lighting effects, to act an a nucleus." An option hod already been taken over the site and the proposal was to build a theatre at an estimated cost of £29,000 and with a seating capacity of 900. It was intended to make it the headquarters of dramatic art in Auckland. Primarily the purpose of the theatre was to render the various societies independent of municipally or pirivatclv-owned theatres or halls, and to further the development of art. Although subscriptions were invited it was pointed out that the maximum return on the money would not exceed 0 per cent. in a circular to subscribers Mr. Swan states that the return of money must be considered as an admission of defeat so far as the project is concerned from an investment, point of view. The support accorded, while not sufficient to carry into effect the original plans, is sufficiently encouraging to provide conviction that the object is worth pursuing. Many of the supporters had suggested that the scheme should be proceeded with on a modified scale.