THE GREENLEAF THEATRE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3830, 9 August 1927, Page 72

THE GREENLEAF THEATRE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) LONDON. July 1. Maxwell Armfield and (‘onstance Smedley, founders and directors of the Greenleaf Theatre, a system unknown in New Zealand, are at present in London after giving lectures and performances in Australia, America, and the south of England. This school of acting, founded in 1915, is on the lines of the Troubadour Schools of the Middle Ages. The idea is to provide a comprehensive training in the elemental laws of all the arts so that they may be synthesised in drama. Yesterday the directors provided an attractive programme at the Lyceum Club for the benefit of press representatives, when senior pupils gave some examples of the work. The first part was a children’s entertainment based on folk song, poems, and folk tales. One is convinced that there can be no better way of presenting modern fanciful poems which could carry little conviction if recited in what one might term the conventional way. John Drinkwater’s “ Three Jolly Farmers,” spoken by three performers in unison anxl with artistic and graphic actions, was indelibly stamped on the memory. Eleanor Earjeon’s two poems, “ Dropped Her Earthing ” and “King’s Way,” were also performed in an illuminating manner. Au old Sussex tale with a suggestion of Cinderella and King Lear in it found great favour with the audience. Finally, the methods of the Greenleaf Theatre were admirably demonstrated in a little play, “ Belle ami Beau.” a dainty, light-as-air piece, which could never be satisfactorily performed except in this fanciful rhythmic way.