TEMPLE OF DRAMA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23500, 14 May 1938, Page 14

TEMPLE OF DRAMA

In the long run, if the National Theatre movement succeeds in Britain, there need be little fear of rivalry between it and that admirable popular institution, the Old Vic, writes Mr R. A. Scott-James, in the Christian Science Monitor. In my opinion, it would be best that they should work together in the closest relationship But even if this does not happen, no harm can come to cither of them from rivalry. The real enemy of good drama is not other good drama, but bad drama. In proportion ns a national theatre can succeed in stimulating interest in the best plays, in the most artistic productions to that extent it will be helping all other institutions which have a similar ambition. The sure-I way of liking good music is to hear music often. In the same way the surest way of enjoying good drama is to witness it again and again. If the National Theatre, once established, fully succeeds in its dramatic aims, its success will not end with itself. The commercial managers will also begin to realise that they have been underestimating the public, that they have put too little confidence in the fundamental rightness of judgment of large ections of playgoers: and they will be ready to cater for audiences educated at the National Theatre. The influence of a grand temple of dramatic artconducted in the spirit in which Granville Barker and William Archer long ago conceived it—should be regarded as indispensable to the life of a civilised and well-balanced community, stimulating the creative spirit, quickening powers of appreciation, nourishing the starved imagination, and finding a use for those who are richly endowed with theatre talent.

Advertising points out the rrienfs o) a product and impresses the buyer with its desirability.