AMATEUR DRAMATICS

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1934, Page 6

AMATEUR DRAMATICS

BRITISH DRAMA LEAGUE CENTRE. BIG ATTENDANCE AT STRATFORD. Evidence of the interest in amateur dramatic work in Central Taranaki was given at the annual meeting of the Central Taranaki centre of the British Drama League at Stratford last night, when over 20 members attended. Mrs. E. H. Young presided. ’ ... The centre had had a very satisfactory year, said Mrs. Young. The festival was slightly marred by one thing; they could not get the judge for three nights, and had to hold an afternoon session. The number of teams competing was larger than was expected. The festival was far more successful even than was anticipated. This year was the first year that elimination festivals had been held, and to help with the travelling expenses a capitation fee of Is per head had been levied on all centres. The profits for the year were very satisfactory and the credit balance of about £3O put the centre in a better position than most bodies of only two years’ standing. It was proposed to procure before the next festival a satisfactory curtain, said Mr. A. H. R. Amess, in seconding the adoption of the report. The present curtain in the hall was too cumbersome. Mr. Amess congratulated the committee, the president (Mrs. Young) and the secretary (Mrs. Uniacke). “The league put on a festival that was an ‘eye-opener’ to Stratford people,” said the Mayor, Mr. J. W. McMillan. He congratulated the league, particularly the president and the secretary. Officers elected were: Patron, Mr. J. W. McMillan; president, Mr. A. H. R. Amess; vice-presidents, Mrs. Steven, Mrs. Young, Mi-. Hall, Mr. H. L. Von Sturmer; secretary, Mrs. Uniacke; treasurer, Mrs. R. R. Tyrer; executive, Mrs. Fredric, Messrs. D. E. White, R. Carryer and B. P. Bellringer, and one delegate each from Eltham and Inglewood; delegates to New Zealand council, Mrs. Uniacke and Mr. Amess; auditor, Mr. F. P. D. Jefferies. The secretary, Mrs. Uniacke, was voted an honorarium of £2 2s. Messrs. Young and Moss were accorded a vote of thanks for the use of their room during the year. . A suggestion that the borough council might provide a new set of scenery for the town hall was made by Mrs. Steven. Mrs. Young raised the question whether the Central Taranaki centre should invite the national executive to hold the West Coast elimination festival at Stratford. Members agreed that to hold the festival at Stratford would be a great help to dramatic work in the district. Tribute to the work done . for the centre by the retiring president, Mrs. Young, was paid by Mr. Amess, and the appreciation of the meeting was recorded. The services of Mrs. Young for dramatic work had been outstanding in the centre, said Mr. Hall. She had done wonderful work, and was a splendid president. Mr. Hall suggested that in the furtherance of dramatic interest in the district the centre should engage a professional producer for about a week before the annual festival to visit each circle and to give advice and make suggestions. It would make a great deal of difference, he said. The standard of work at Stratford could be improved a great deal. He also suggested that members be invited to compete annually for a prize for play writing. Both suggestions were favourably received, by the meeting.