The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890.) SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1933 British Drama League

Stratford Evening Post, Volume II, Issue 221, 15 April 1933, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post With which is Incorporated "THE EGMONT SETTLER" (Established 1890.) SATURDAY, APRIL 15, 1933 British Drama League

THE formation of a branch of the British Drama League in Stratford will fill a long-felt want and deserves well of the

people of town and district. It will create a great deal of interest among the amusement loving public and will be a nutans whereby good plays will be presented at cheap prices. In all countries of the world to-day the staging of non-musical plays has been left almost entirely in the hands of amateurs and in many centres amateur theatrical organisations are in a very flourishing condition. In the four centres of New Zealand there are many societies which are putting on productions and as a result of the assistance given by the British Drama League the standard is indeed high. Competition brought about by the Festivals is invaluable as the advice and criticism given by the judges is always helpful and never destructive, the result being that many faults peculiar to amateurs are soon eliminated from the woik of the performers. 'The judges are all men and women who have had extensive theatrical experience, and who thoroughly recognise I hat the drama has an undoubted place in the life of the community. Stratford is indeed fortunate in the fact that Miss Elizabeth Blake has agreed to judge its first festival herself, for she is a distinguished artist and producer, and has made a long study of the drama. She has probably done more for the amateur theatre in this rountry than anyone else, and has also had her "place in the sun" in England. !t was -ha who induced the British Drama League to extend its activities to this country. It is to be hoped thai the miblic meeting to be held here on Wednesday, April 26, will he wall attended, and that the movement will make the strides here that it has made in other parts of the Dominion,