DUNEDIN SHAKESPEARE CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24431, 17 October 1940, Page 11

DUNEDIN SHAKESPEARE CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING Mr H. Chapman presided over a large attendance at the annual meeting of the Dunedin Shakespeare Club on Saturday The annual report stated, inter alia:— During the year public readings were given of three plays—” Hamlet," under the chairmanship of Mr H. W. Hunter; “ Twelfth Night,” under the chairmanship of Miss H. M. Mcßae; and “ The Merchant of Venice," under the chairmanship of Mr H. Chapman, the lastnamed being substituted for “ Henry V ” as being more suitable during wartime. In the presentation of one of these plays the club had occasion to call on members of the Junior Club, who fully justified their inclusion in the casts. The Junior Club, under the leadership ot Mr Chapman, had been well supported by a large number of talented and enthusiastic members. During the year opportunity jias been provided the Junior Club to demonstrate the work done, at social functions held in the club room, and a very high standard has been reached. The roll of active members suffered during the year, notably through the deaths of Mr S. H. Osborn, president, and of Mr J Fleming, a former vice-president. Both were enthusiasts who gave freely of their time and energies to the club, and the society was the poorer for the loss of their counsel and talents. Both of these men had been honoured during their lifetime by having life membership conferred upon them. The report was adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows: —Patron, his Excellency the Governor-General; vice-patron, Mr Justice Kennedy; president, Professor T D. Adams: vice-presidents—Miss H. M. Mcßae, Mr H. Chapman and Mr H. W Hunter; treasurer, Mr C. J. L. White; secretary. Miss H. Smith; auditor, Mr V. E. D Thomson; committee—Mrs E. J. Murray, Miss V. Jefferson and Messrs J. W Hayward and A. F. Lanyon. The three plays selected for study next year were “ Macbeth.” “ Winter’s Tale ” and ” King John.”