A NATIONAL THEATRE.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XI, Issue 511, 4 October 1900, Page 8

A NATIONAL THEATRE.

[By

Waiter Bentley.]

In this country of progressive legislation, why should not the State interfere in the regulation of our amusements ? It may be urged that the law of supply and demand ought to rule the theatre, and that it ought to be looked at from the simple basis of a commercial enterprise, but there is a sentimental side which it is to be feared has been sadly overlooked.

In my travels through Australasia, this aspect of the question has been forced upon my notice, as also several other points which perhaps I may be pardoned in presenting for discussion by those who are most interested.

In this connection I may say that all the facto about the New Zealand buildings, and the support they obtain, have been submitted by me to the Premier and members of the Cabinet, who, while agreeing with me as to the advisability of State interference, say that at present they do not care to interfere unless they find it to be the wish of the people, and it is in the hope that the people will interfere at the next general election that I submit my views.

To begin with, there is a recognised fact that the amusements of a people have a great deal to

do with their morals, and it may surprise many to learn that a low computation as to the numbers who attend places of amusement in New Zealand in one year brings the whole to the enormous total 0f2.500,000. his sum embraces theatres and halls and of course mea s that many of these persons go to an entertainment much oftener than once a week The figures whic i give this result have been submittted by me to several competent judges and confirmed, while the startling fact is not generally known that all tae programmes at these theatres and haLs are exempt from a<y sort of supervision save that of public opinion. Is it not the duty of the politician even on this ground to interfere. True, the theatres are licensed, but so are public houses, and in the latter caee much more supervision, and a great deal of it vexatious, is exercised, while the theatre is allowed to open its doo>-o at any time, and give to the public whatever its managers please. T hen, as to the houses themselves, one has only to look over them to see that they are certainly not. what they ought to be either before, but more especially behind the curtain. With perhaps a few exceptions, the dressingroom accommodation for the actors and actresses ? is di-graceful, and I often wonder how any woman of refinement can be induced to even ehange her costume in such places, and then afterwards be able to give an artistic performance.

Again, and probably this from the sentimental aspect is the strongest point, where is the recruiting ground for actors and actresses. There is none; they are mere accidents, and the crude attempts at acting, which it is not their faults that, they display lower the position of the stage. Certificates are rightly deemed necessary in art or science, and yet for the actor, who ought to be an encyclopedia and an anatomicillustration of both, no such precaution is taken. What a pleasure it is to see a performance at

the Theatre Francais in Paris, where every performer has graduated in the art, and how high the estimation of the stage accordingly is there.

The Immigration Restriction Bill was drafted to prevent impecunious persons from entering the colony, but just consider how often actors and actresses, who have absolutely no capital of their own, are imported by managers who are likewise impecunious, and whose exodus is only likely to be achieved by chance custom.

As regards the advisability of the establishment of a theatre subsidised by the State, I can only point to the Wanganui Opera House, built by the municipal authorities and managed by them. In six months it has paid th® first year a interest on £5OOO original outlay, together with all working expenses, and it is only reasonable to suppose that a school or college, founded in connection with a similar institution in Wellington, would also be a commercial success.

I have taken the first step in bringing these matters before the notice of your Government it remains for you, the people of New Zealand, to urge them to carry out some scheme of legislation. By doing so you raise the status of the profession, and its culture must be reflected on the people. Home influe .ce throughout Australasia is not nearly iso strong a factor in social progress as in the older lands, and surely when that is a recognised fact, the nature of public performances should be so directed as to make for enlightenment and elevation.

Select the winners of three races by the exercise of your knowledge of racing and you will handle the gold. Just turn to page 24.