WHY THE TOWN HALL DOES NOT PAY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 84, 16 April 1913, Page 3

WHY THE TOWN HALL DOES NOT PAY.

[To The Editor Stratford Post.]

Sir,—With regard to the Mayor’s Annual Report on Municipal matters,? stating that the revenue from the Town Hall shows a falling off (£65), and that the establishment of a permanent Picture Show seems to have affected small travelling theatrical companies; fewer of those visiting tho town as compared with previous years, I would ask your permission to say a few words. With regard to small companies, tiro position is that some years ago tho public had to put up with a crowd of stage-struck people who had an idea they could act, and were possibly invited by some pciformer (who not infrequently was thrown out of employment by drink or inability, and had to gain an easy living somehow), and who would therefore resort to stage-struck foolish people, who had a few pounds saved, with a proposal to start a show to tour tho small towns. They would expend money in buying (or pirating) printing and show posters of some big legitimate show, and send an advance agent to bill small towns with some of the world’s greatest performers, lithographs and pictorials. This was purely and simply gulling the public. In addition, they were charging exorbitant prices. Tho public naturally thinking by paying their money to see a good show, would bo sorely disappointed and decide that they were taken down. Hence the vanishing of tho small companies. Since tho cost of travelling has been considerably reduced, those desirous to do so can visit a large city and have the best of amusement at a fairly nominal charge. They therefore bor come more enlightened on matters theatrical. Some few years back, being a member of the late Clias.. Holloway’s famous Australian Dramatic Co., we visited Stratford with 45 performers, playing two nights, and staying over Sunday in the town. We had on our repertoire such fine productions as “Two Little \ agahonds, and “Shadows of a Great City.” The takings for the two nights totalled the magnificent sura of twenty-two pounds. Well- who got tho benefit of that deal? The Town Hall, tho hotels and boarding houses, for the management lost considerably and had to dive deep. Even the Taylor-Car-ringtons, before picture shows became such an educational factor, threw up their small dramatic show and took on a travelling picture show, finding out by experience that tho stages in the small towns were not large enough to produce an ordinary melodrama, so as to satisfy the people. NoW. why do largo companies, such ns <L C. Williamson, Ltd., brings along, pass this town? ■lt is simply that they carry a large amount of; scenery which is most expensive. Then, also, stage properties, such as furniture of various periods, wardrobe, etc. What do they find? They cannot obtain room for the performers to dress, lot alone to place the scenery and the proper staging of the productions, which is tho main point from the audience’s point of view. They have to build out in the back-yard of the Town Hall fit-ups of railway tarpaulins, and trudge in and out in the rain and slush in order to make some sort of show to try and please their patrons. Further, if it is raining any at all, tho scenery is left covered up, and one scene sometimes has got to do for three scenes. Therefore, why not put in an up-to-date stage with plenty of depth, height, and” width. Then tho play-going public would be able to view a performance practically as good as in a largo town. Nowadays novelties such as aeroplanes and balloons are introduced in up-to-date Dramatic and Opera work. Well, one could not sling a carpenter’s jack plane out of sight on the present Town Hall stage. What the Council want to do is to spend, say, from £3OO to £4OO on the present stage, and enlarge same. If “all tho World’s a stage’’, where arc tho Stratford Dressing Rooms? With reference to the loqal Picture Show, I may ho permitted to add that some imagine that all you have to do is to hang a sheet up on the wall, stick a candle in the machine, turn the handle and stand at the door and take tho money. No expense at all! Now, considering wo have the sole rights for tho world’s greatest picture producers’ films, and give a good healthy, clean show, engage all, local talent, and that all money taken is spent in tho town, there is not much to grumble at. Wo do not go to Paris, New Plymouth, or Toko for our, necessaries of life, such as clothing, etc. Pictures are the coming big I educational factor, and the people s I popular resort for amusement. Should j wo take the money or let it go elsewhere? Through the Town Hall stage being inadequate, the Council loses, but the town gains by tho picture show spending tho money it takes amongst local tradesmen. —I am, etc., AVILL DIAMOND.