SHEEP AND THE MAN

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19200, 17 June 1924, Page 8

SHEEP AND THE MAN

BERNARD SHAW’S JOKE. A LONDON, Juno 1. HHglpt George Bernard Shaw adopted atypical Shavian pose of tho-king ignorance regarding Australia, in an interview with the special representative of (he Sydney Sun. the first time he has Iwen interviewed on behalf of Australia. Mr Sbnw caused a sensation, when, replying to tho Exhibition authorities’ invitation for In’s supoort for a national theatre campaign, he wrote: “I have said everything I have to say on the subject of u national theatre Wi times over, and I won’t, say it again for Jess than two season tickets, two free dinners every day the Exhibition is onen, and a ebeqno for £IOOO on the n.-rl,” “What’s the use of talk 'III' national theatre to Australia*'” asked Mr Shaw, chuckling, “I. thought- Anstr-lia was nonulaled by sheep.” When Ibe interviewer explained that. there were six er<’at cities in Australia, one bavins 1.000.000 people, ho chortled, and said : “Of course, von m-cd a few people to look after 'by ‘■beep. Wo have plenty of sheep in Britain, who go to the theatres, time after time, seeing the same play, and having no intelligent interest in anything. I never heard of any intelligent rer.-on in Australia, exeent P Mr Grogan M’Mnbon, who produced some of my plays. My impressions of Australia ere. Grogan I ' , ‘Mabon and sheep. After all. whv shouldn’t „Wn have a national theatre? Perhaps t'-ey would b n intelligent enough to appreciate classical drama.” Mr Shaw was asked whv shouldn't Australia, being 98 r -er cent. British, take the lead in establishing a national theatre, and producing h->th Shakespeare's and Shaw’s plays- “There need"’t be much Shakespeare or Shaw about it,” reuß-d the I drn.maMst, becoming serious. “What is reeded in the dominions is n. Mare, where classical nlavs can 1-e n-nd'"v.d as iri"tn'- • merits of culture. To-day the commercial drama is better for the box office than is tho classical, and that is the chief consideration. “A State-endowed theatre v-p-d-1 leave the manaaemont f"ce to select the l—d nlavs. instead of (he best Havers. We, now! a national theatre ou-te -, s much as rational institutions for nhv>u-d he-dft, for music, fo- astronomy, or 'or hia-he-matheinrd ic.s The,- wend knee *h<» ehassie'd darn mas in tbe forefront, and ■■ ’ m at maintaining a higher cidtpru W" n-ay not. wartt to do it, but it. is essential.”