COMMUNITY DRAMA

Waikato Times, Volume 111, Issue 18524, 2 January 1932, Page 14

COMMUNITY DRAMA

PROPOSED SCHOLARSHIP. OFFER FROM ENGLAND. CONSIDERED IMPRACTICABLE. Proposals for Ihe advancement of Ihe New Zealand community drama movement are made in a letter that Sir Harold Beauchamp, of Wellington, who is interested in the movement, has received from Miss Elizabeth Blake (Mrs Natusch), also of Wellington. who Is in England. The letter reads—“l’ve just returned to London from Hull, where the British Drama League held its annual conference, and where I was able to get the following resolution carried unanimously: ‘That this conference, bearing in mind the Important part the drama can play in maintaining a, knowledge and use of pure English, as well as In Increasing mutual understanding among the different parts of the British Empire, recommends the formation of a subcommittee to deal especially with community drama in the Dominions and Crown Colonies of Ihe Empire, with special reference to the needs of New Zealand.

"I am sorry lo bother you to wade through all that, but it has real practical value, as Ihe British Drama League is really the clearing house for tho professional and amateur drama, and is of increasing importance. The formation of that enmmillee is step No. 1 ; step No. 2 is no less important. Miss Fogerty, the head of tho central school of speech training and dramatic-ark-in London, the leading school in this country, has offered a two years’ training fee, worth Cl Oh, lo anyone I send from New Zealand t'or training in lecturing and producing community drama work. This is a most valuable ofi'er.

"Meanwhile Miss Fogerty Is hopeful of finding someone whom I can bring out next March to begin work at once pending the finding and training of ihe New Zealand student. Now we come to ways and means. I am to see the Carnegie Trust people, and am hopeful of getting help from them. Supposing 1 can get them to pay the return fare of the first producer, and come out with me in March, I was wondering if any help would he forthcoming for living expenses for the first two years. I feel our chance of help from the Government would be greater when the scheme is actually In being.

"As I told you before, wo shall work through the existing societies, women's institutions, etc., with a small executive committee representing the British Drama League hi Wellington." “Nebulous and Impracticable." “The whole thing seems |o he nebulous and impraclienhle." said Major IL !•’. W. Ashworth, secretary lo the Christchurch Repertory Foei'dy, commenting on this proposal. "Nothing is "tiered I" cover Ihe actual expenses of living, and Iherefore llie idea would seem to he of no value lo anyone dependent on their work for a living. "We have in our society here several highly-gifted amateurs who might be

confidciilly expedod I . do well on the Home professional stage, but. generally speaking, they are prevented by lark <>f means and Ihe assurance rf being aide to make, some kind of career in Ihe present depressed condition of the drama, from venturing overseas. "I nolire lhal Miss Blake is hoping In gel help from Hie Carnegie Trust people. If sueli help should materialise there would be no difficulty hi selecting suitable New Zealand candidates for dramntie honours, but until something more eonrrele is offered Ilian is now proposed it would seen useless to consider the mailer further."