Auckland Drama Council

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23133, 3 September 1938, Page 18 (Supplement)

Auckland Drama Council

DRAFT CONSTITUTION DRAWN UP

Formerly the Auckland area of the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League, an association of Auckland repertory clubs, the proposed name of which 13 the Auckland Drama Council, is in the process of formation. A draft constitution has been drawn up and is now being considered by the societies which will affiliate and which include the Auckland Amateur Operatic Society, the Grafton Shakespeare and Dramatic Society, the Little Theatre, the Auckland Repertory Theatre, the Catholic Repertory Society and the W.E.A. drama group.

As the season is now more than half over, it is unlikely that the council will do more than establish itself this year. Next season, however, under the unified and representative control of the council, the amateur theatre in Auckland should show satisfactory progress. and it is probable that the customary combined drama festival will be held.

Another aim of the council will be the provision of a suitable theatre for the presentation of amateur plays. At present some societies arc making use of St. Andrew's Hall, Symonds Street, following the lead of the Grafton Society, which has been responsible for extending the stage facilities and for providing comfortable accommodation for audiences. . . Auckland's severance from the British Drama League is largely the result of dissatisfaction with the method of control. which is centred in Wellington. Control is exercised through a national council and a central executive. The executive consists of nine members, resident in Wellington, and meets once a fortnight, while the council comprises the executive and two delegates from each area, of which there are 17 in New Zealand. The chief difficulty is in obtaining a full representation, owing to the distance which some delegates hare to travel. The council is an advisory body, but may issue specific instructions to the executive which must be carried out. The executive, however, is empowered to act independently of the corincil and has wide financial powers. togeflher with the right to hire and dismiss servants of the league, both of which points were the main subject of dissatisfaction.