DISPUTE OVER PLAYS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19104, 27 August 1936, Page 15

DISPUTE OVER PLAYS

NEW THEATRE LEAGUE ONE GETS FIRST AWARD STATE BAN DEFIED (Eloc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Reed. Aug.. 26, 3 p.m.) SYDNEY, Aug. 26. The. New Theatre League, which presented "Wailing for Lefty," a one-act play by Mr. Clifford Odets, which was criticised because it was claimed that it contained improper passages, _ was awarded the first prize in the City of Sydney Eisteddfod in the one-act play contest. In announcing the result, Mr. J.. I'. Montague, of New Zealand, who acted as adjudicator with Miss Betty Shaw, said that he had seen nothing to find fault with in the dialogue of the play, which had impressed the adjudicators with; its quick-fire action and excellent presentation. The secretary of the New Theatre League, Mr. V, Arnold, said that certain passages had been deleted voluntarily from the play with a view to its presentation before the Eisteddfod audience, which was not an audience of children. "If wo offend elderly ladies in lace collars, it is not our fault," he said. PROTEST BY CONSUL The. New Theatre League during the last, few weeks has been at holts with the State Chief Secretary, Mr. F. A. Ohaffey, in consequence of its presentation of another play by Mr. Odets, "Till the Day I Die." This play, which is described as anti-Nazi, caused a disturbance when it was presented at Perth, where the newly-formed "blue shirts" took exception to it. When the fix-st attempt was made to present the play in Sydney, it was banned by Mr. Chaff ey following a protest by the Gorman consular representative.' In spite of the presence of a policeman, the, play was presented by the New 'Theatre League, which since has submitted it twice atjprivate-invita-fiou performances. Thisf it was explained, was arranged in view of "the continued interest being taken in it, particularly among the leaders of cultural movement's in Sydney."

Mr. Arnold has been charged in the Police Court with having unlawfully caused the play, "Till the Day I Die," to be presented, contrary to the Chief Secretary's prohibition. The case has been adjourned, and a meeting of protest against the banning is to be held.