AMATEUR THEATRICALS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22775, 8 July 1937, Page 12

AMATEUR THEATRICALS

DOMINION'S STANDARD EQUAL TO AUSTRALIAN [by TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Wednesday After a comprehensive tour of Victoria, during which he judged at various fastivals, and lectured on speech-train-ing and New Zealand poetry and drama, Mr. Walter Russell Wood, of Duncdin, returned to-day by the Wanganella. Mr. Russell Wood's visit to Australia was made under the auspices of the Music Teachers' Association of Victoria. The principal aims of the association were to stimulate the appreciation of the best in music and dramatic art, and to raise the prestige of the artistic professions. Mr. Russell Wood said that there were 500 drama clubs in and around Melbourne.

Referring to group recitations and verse speaking choirs, he said that, compared with tho Australian amateur theatre, the movement in New Zealand was fairly well advanced. In Australian cities producers wore easier to find, scenery and the most difficult and elaborate costumes were to be obtained, and excellent lighting facilities were available, but in the individual and team work of casts interpreting plays many New Zealand productions were equal to what he had seen in Australia.