DRAMATIC CLUB FORMED

Southland Times, Issue 25361, 13 August 1935, Page 8

DRAMATIC CLUB FORMED

EX-HIGH SCHOOL PUPILS. TEAMS FOR FESTIVAL. At a meeting held last evening of ex-pupils of the Southland Boys’ and Girls’ High Schools it was decided to form a dramatic club and to enter teams in the festival to be held shortly in Invercargill by the Southland branch of the British Drama League. Mrs J. S Robbie, president of the Southland Girls’ High School Old Girls’ Association, was in the chair, and others present were Messrs J. G. Imlay, president of the Old Boys’ Association. M. Henderson, secretary and A. R. Dunlop, acting-secretary of the local branch of the British Drama League. Mrs Robbie said that the Old Girls Association had run a play-reading circle with moderate success. Recently they received a letter from the secretary of the Southland branch of the British Drama League asking them to enter a team in the proposed festival to be held in Invercargill in about six weeks’ time. The association hoped to combine with the Old Boys’ Association, and by this means a dramatic club could be started. The entering of a team in the festival would be the beginning of an organization which would perhaps in the future give public performances.

Mr Dunlop said that the original letter referred to by Mrs Robbie had come from Miss Nancy Nicholson, who was in England. He was now acting as secretary. In connection with the festival entries were expected from that meeting, from the W.E.A., from the Southland Women’s Club and from the Workshop Theatre. Teams were also expected from the country centres. This festival, which was expected to increase the interest taken in drama in Invercargill, was originally scheduled to take place at the present time. If it had been possible to have staged the festival now the winning team would have been able to go on to Dunedin where, the South Island finals would be held. At present the Southland province was the only large district in New Zealand where the Drama League had not secured a sound footing, and interest needed to be aroused. Perhaps the proposed club would throw in its lot with the Workshop Theatre as he was afraid that if both bodies went into active competition with each other good results would not be obtained.

Mr Henderson said there were quite a number of ex-pupils interested in the formation of a club. A leader was very necessary. Miss E. Morrison: Would it not be wise to get into touch with the Workshop Theatre? Unless the organizations are joined in some way the two bodies will inevitably be in competition.

Mrs Robbie stated that it was possible that the two bodies might amalgamate, but at present the ex-pupils wished to find their feet. It was hoped that the organization would be the dramatic club of the Old Boys’ and the Old Girls’ Associations.

Mr Imlay said it was a question whether there was room in the city for two clubs of this nature. If it was finally decided to form a dramatic club it would be better for the organization to stand on its own feet apart from the Workshop Theatre. Mr Dunlop suggested that the meeting should decide whether or not it would enter a team for the drama fesval.

Mrs Robbie said that at present there was not a leader - available for the expupils who could produce a play for presentation on the public stage. After a play had been prepared at the festival another meeting would be held to see how matters stood. On the motion of Mr Henderson seconded by Mi - E. Abby Jones, it was decided to form an ex-pupils’ dramatic club. Miss R. Reid and Mr Abby Jones were appointed joint secretaries. It was decided to affiliate with the Southland branch of the British Drama League and to enter, if possible, two teams in the festival. With this end in view two producers would be approached.