THE STAGE TO-DAY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 219, 15 September 1928, Page 2

THE STAGE TO-DAY

DECLINE OF THE DRAMA “The West End stage iu London is dominated to-day mostly by financiers who understand nothing of the drama,” said Mr Percy Hutchison, actor-manager and chairman of the British Actor-Managers’ Association, referring, iu the course of an address to the Auckland Rotary Club this week to the changes in the theatrical 'world since the war. Mr Hutchison said he was confident wholesome drama and comedy would always be supported, but so many of tho London theatres were controlled by the producers of musical comedy and revue, and there was such a vogue for sex-problem plays and mystery and “crook” dramas, that the actor-man-ager’s way was not an easy one. \vs In spite of the popularity of the cinema, Mr Hutchison did not believe that a mechanical contrivance could take the place of the living, breathing character of the stage. Referring to the ‘Stage in the Dominion, he said New Zealand was not badly catered for, but Canada and South Africa, for geographical reasons, received the largest proportion of the best plays.