W.E.A. NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 471, 4 June 1932, Page 27 (Supplement)

W.E.A. NOTES.

Increasing. Interest Taken in Drama. (Contributed). Throughout the English-speaking world, there has been a great revival in the interest taken in drama. This renewed interest has spread to New Zealand, and efforts are now being made to link up the Drama Associations with the movement in Great Britain. The W.E.A. nan take credit for a great deal of the interest being taken in the study and production drama in this c 9H n '2 ' try. in- 1920 Professor Shelley arr.ivjear from England arid commenced the: first drama class in New Zealand, under the control of the Workers’. Educational Association. The class increased in membership each year untie. last. ..year--217 students were enrolled. As.-®, result of the success of the .Christchurch class, a class was commence* in in 1923, and this class now has an enrolment of over 250. . The box' scheme commenced in 1926 with six_ classes, the subject of study being “ Art, Music and Drama.” Last year there were 100 classes in New Zealand under this &C ThT’ Repertory Society of Christchurch was also formed tluough the efforts of^Professor Shelley. His W.E.A class provided the necessary nucleus of support for the inauguration of the society. Since Professor Shelley has been absent in America his W.E.A. class hS been taken by Mrs R. D. Milligan The class is as enthusiastic as evei in the study of drama and in bv Selected students. The tutor, each S n ek rVn h der/*be?£re'‘ the final ?eadinl in the class. On Tuesday evening last the room was packed with an enthusiastic . audience, when tfye play ‘ Mixed ..Marriages,’' by St John Irving, was readThe sympathy expressed by W.E.A. officials in England to the officers of the movement in New Zealand in connection with the withdrawal of Government grants was demonstrated this week in a practical manner. Dr Albert Mansbridge, the founder of the W.E.A. movement in England, forwarded a donation of £1 to the Dominion Council. He

here, i am distressed to learn of the Government economy cuts in New Zealand, which must affect your work so seriously—indeed, it looks like a shattering blow; but I am sure that members of the W.E.A. will keep together and do all they can to fight. as times get better, for a renewal, if only a gradual renewal, of the financial aid. You will, I know, tell anyone whom you think fit how deeply wo all sympathise with you at this time.” The W.E.A. party of forty-one left for Mount Cook on Thursday morning. It was intended that the most active of the group 'visit the Tasman, Hooker and Mueller Glaciers. Those not able to do the long trips : were to go to the Red Lake and’tb Ivea Point. In order to provi&evfuil entertainment for the even- , bags, gramophone records of the old English folk dances were taken by a member of the party. This member will teach the dances to those who are unacquainted wit^h,.,, -them. v The party

will return to Christchurch on Monday by the first express. The students of the Kaiapoi class will read the play “ Hobson’s Choice ” to the Christchurch Drama Class on Tuesday evening-, June 14. This play was ready for presentation by the Kaiapoi students, but. unforseen circumstances prevented its production on the date allotted. Bu'blic Speaking* Class. 'i'he unusually large number of visitors present at meetings of the Public Speaking Class was the subject of comment by the tutor (Mr John Rigg) on Mppday evening. It was true that visi-

tors were welcome, he said, but they should not attend regularly. They could assist both the class and the association by enrolling as students. A class reading of Longfellow’s poem, “ The Day is Done,” was followed by a recitation of “ Chatham’s Oration on the American War,” by Mr M. Rogers. Mr H. R. Wilkinson gave an address on “Public Speaking,” and received a vote of thanks. The adjourned debate on the question, " That civilisation has increased the happiness of mankind.” was continued by Miss M. M’Lean, Mrs G. Cree and Messrs 11. W. Burroughs and W. B. Ellwood, and then adjourned.