OPERATIC SOCIETY

Southland Times, Issue 21855, 4 November 1932, Page 5

OPERATIC SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING. A SUCCESSFUL YEAR. The annual meeting of the Invercargill Operatic and Dramatic Society was held in the Orphans’ Hall last evening, there being an attendance of 50 members over whom Mr J. D. Campbell presided: The annual report was as follows:— “The operatic wing, greatly strengthened by the influx of many new members, and by the unfailing loyalty of old ones, undertook to wipe out the memory of the lean years by the most successful staging of the musical comedy ‘A Country Girl’ at the Civic Theatre for a six-night season, from Tuesday, July 19, to Monday, July 25. It was originally intended to show for a five-night season, but the excellent houses obtained fully justified the extension of the season by one night. Unfortunately, the society was unable to obtain the services of Mr J. J. W. Pollard as producer, as in former years, and so had to go beyond Invercargill to Dunedin, where an able producer in the person' of Mr F. H. Lampen was procured. To Mr Lampen’s unquestioned ability and intimate knowledge of ‘A Country Girl’ much of the credit of the success of the production must be attributed. The length of time that elapsed between the commencement of rehearsals and the staging of the comedy must surely constitute a record in the history of the society, and members should feel gratified that the hard concentrated work put in by them was so amply rewarded. Mr D. W. McKay, our musical director, is to be congratulated on having the musical numbers ready in so short a time, the singing, except for a weakness caused by a lack of men, being of a high standard, and many favourable comments on it have been received. Mrs A. E. H. Bath once again has given her services at the piano with great patience and untiring loyalty, and deserves the society’s best thanks. Owing to ill-health our ballet-mistress, Mrs James Smith, was unable to carry on this season, and Miss Renee Ward was appointed to this position. In this comedy heavy demands were made on the ballet, and the society is indebted to Miss Ward for filling the breach. Behind the scenes, Mr A. Sutherland as usual toiled hard, and is to be complimented on his efficiency and organizing capabilities.

“The dramatic wing, having given birth to the Workshop Theatre, has just concluded a heavy year. The founder and director of the Workshop Theatre movement, Mr J. J. W. Pollard, has had a very strenuous year, and the interest taken in it by the public and also by the members shows that a very necessary want has been supplied in the life of the community. A heavy expenditure in the lighting and other improvements, including the construction of flats etc., at the Orphan’s Hall, has perhaps militated against the undertaking being a success financially, but it is confidently anticipated that in the coming season a profit may be expected. The first production consisted of four one-act plays followed by a series of five one-act plays. A full- length play ‘Arms and the Man’ by G. B. Shaw was staged next., “The last production consisted of four one-act plays written in Southland, and was staged very successfully, great credit being reflected upon the various authors concerned, viz., Miss Jessie N. Aitken, Mr L. C. Grindlay, and Mr J. J. W. Pollard. The aim of the Workshop Theatre being to encourage all branches of the drama including the writing, producing mounting qt plays, many members coming within the latter category deserve much praise for their work. Among these should be mentioned Mr and Mrs T. H. Jenkin and their 1 group of assistants in the preparation and painting of scenery, as well as the group leaders for . their work behind the scenes. The typing of plays and individual parts for both wings was a work of no small magnitude and the persons responsible for so doing are thanked. As in the operatic wing of the society, Mr A. Sutherland worked untiringly as stage manager in spite of the disadvantage of lack of room on the stage.

“The attendance at rehearsals was with a few exceptions most satisfactory. The list of active members in the operatic wing contains the names of 78 persons, while that for the dramatic wing 48. Several members have appeared actively in both wings. The honorary membership list was re-opened this year, and contains the names of 67 members. For the sum of one guinea honorary members received two tickets for each of the society s productions, with the right of preferential booking, privileges which appear to be on the generous side. General relief is felt by the members of the society that our musical director, Mr D. W. McKay is now on the mend after his long and painful illness. During the year the society learned with regret of the death of Mr Kenneth Stuckey, a member who had appeared in several productions. A wreath was sent on behalf of the society. “The season commenced with a debit balance of £74 9/8, and ended with a credit balance of £4O 6/8. The receipts for the year amounted to 18/-, while the expenditure was £913 1/8. The assets over liabilities amount to l 2 3/8. In the operatic wing the receipts were £847 7/2, and the expenditure was £7OO 12/11. In the dramatic wing and Workshop Theatre receipts amounted to £lBO 10/10, while the expenditure was £212 8/9. __^ ie society’s thanks are due to Mr J. Hamilton for acting as auditor. The society donated £3O to the Mayor s Relief Fund. This amount represented approximately one-half the gross takings for the last night of ‘A Country The report acknowledged with thanks the assistance given by a number of ladies and gentlemen. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the president expressed his pleasure at the successful nature of the year’s activities. Although unable to give a great deal ot time to the society he had known that its management was in very capable hands in the retiring executive under the leadership of Mr T. R. Pryde. During the year 67 honorary members had been enrolled and this, he considered, was a very satisfactory achievement. The finances of the society had been improved. The meeting might discuss means by which the expenses of the society might be reduced. Mr A. F. Grenfell seconded the motion. Position of Workshop Theatre. Mr J. A. Hamilton, who congratulated the society on its successful season, drew attention to the fact that the Workshop Theatre’s activities had resulted in a loss. While he was in favour of the Workshop Theatre movement, he did not think that the operatic wing should carry the dramatic wing. Should the operatice wing have a loss who would foot the bill? he asked. If the Orphans’ Club made use of the society’s special lighting some allowance should be made on that account and he considered that the rent of the hall should be reduced. The Orphans’ Hall was not entirely suitable for the production of plays on account of the necessarily long delays in scene shifting. No provision was made for the “rank and file” supporters of the society by an attractive lower price. If the society produced plays in the Civic Theatre and charged two shillings and one shilling, better success might be achieved. In reply to Mr Hamilton, Mr J. J. W. Pollard, director of the Workshop Theatre, said that,, as he .had said pre-

viously, the Workshop Theatre was not out to make money, nor did he think that the operatic wing sought to build up a large credit balance. No art movement, he contended, could operate successfully if it sacrificed any of its aims to the consideration of making money. The Orphans’ Club had met the society in a very reasonable and not ungenerous manner. The hall was certainly out of the way, but at the inception of the Workshop Theatre, all the small halls in the city had been inspected and it had been considered that the Orphans’ Hall offered the best facilities available. So far as charges were concerned, the experience in little theatre movements throughout Australia and New Zealand had been that the work appealed only to a limited circle and could not expect support from the “rank and file.” He did not think that the hiring of the theatre would be a good proposition as the expenses for the production of plays would be very much greater than in the hall and even at popular prices with packed houses there was little prospect of the venture being a financial success. When it was taken into consideration that a great deal of initial and extraordinary expenditure had been involved in the first year’s work, there was a reasonable prospect of a financial success during the next year. Mr Alex. Sutherland said that the Workshop Theatre was now fully equipped and the costs of future productions would be very small. The last series of plays had shown a small profit. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Election of Officers. The following office-bearers were elected: Patron, Mr R. A. Anderson, C.M.G.; president, Mr J. D. Campbell; vice-presidents, Messrs A. H. Courtis, J. J. W. Pollard and G. M. Corbett; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr P. J. Alley; honorary auditor, Mr J. A. Hamilton; honorary musical director, Mr D. W. McKay; honorary accompaniste, Mrs A. E. H. Bath; committee, Mrs Corbett, Misses N. Nicholson and R. Helm, Messrs T. R. Pryde, S. Richards, M. M. Macdonald and J. Mcllwraith. Mr J. A. Hamilton moved a hearty vote of thanks to the secretary for his work during the past year. The motion was carried by acclamation. A similar motion was passed to the stage manager, Mr Alex. Sutherland. On behalf of the executive, Mr T. R. Pryde submitted a draft of revised rules which had been considered necessary to meet the altered circumstances of the society as a result of the activities being divided into two wings. It had also been considered advisable to amend the title of the society by deletion of the word “amateur.” Mr Pryde moved that the draft be referred to the incoming executive and that a special general meeting be called early in the new year to consider it. The motion was carried.