IRISH THEATRE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20890, 20 November 1937, Page 14

IRISH THEATRE

WELCOME REVIVAL IN DRAMA ACTIVITIES OF CINEMAS Dublin is credited with having more cinemas in proportion to its population than any other city in the world. The films have, in fact, so taken hold of Ireland as a whole that there is scarcely a village in the country without its movies, even if it is only a once-a-week show. In Dublin there are upwards of 30 cinemas, ranging from a dilapidated hall, with fourpence and sixpence as

the prices of admission, to those palatial buildings at which regular theatre charges obtain. In the outlying urban towns, forming the fringe of the capital but separately governed, there are within the metropolitan area some 50 picture houses catering for a population of approximately 575.000. Moreover, there are at least five under construction, and two of these will be on a luxurious scale.

The provincial cities are equally well supplied. Limerick, for example, has the Savoy, a recently opened house offering every possible comfort and seating nearly 2000, as well as four less pretentious houses. Limerick’s population is less than 30,000.

Some three years ago, the cinema situation caused considerable alarm in circles devoted to the legitimate drama. Amateur groups found themselves without audiences and were compelled to suspend operations. Many promising societies have, as a result, faded out of existence. In Dublin, the two principal theatres, which had brought English touring companies, turned their attention to variety.

In the last two years, however, there has been a noticeable change, particularly in Dublin, where there is striking evidence of a new interest in the spoken drama in the fact that “Night Must Fall,” by Emelyn Williams, has played for five weeks at the Gate. The run breaks all records for Dublin. This evidence that Dublin is again turning to the theatre has a parallel in other cities such as Cork. Limerick and Waterford, where the Gate Theatre Productions, on the close of the! Dublin season January, will, in response to requests, fulfill engagements before returning to Malta.