Salient: An Organ of Student Opinion at Victoria College, Wellington, N.Z. Vol. 12, No. 2, March 16th, 1949.
A Dramatic Opinion
A Dramatic Opinion
It is obvious to any Interested observer that the students in this college are badly needing an outlet for self-expression—the " Gentlemen's" in the College bears graphic witness to this fact. Even such activities as Extrav. and Procesh, are but poor substitutes for full and satisfying self-expression.
Seriously, there are few clubs in this college that actively cater for this all-important need among students. Perhaps the only club which could in itself supply the fullest range for such activity is the Dramatic Club. But has it in the past given the fullest opportunity for such expression—in other words, has it previously had the scope necessary? It has not!
A Wail
The Drama Club in the years past has not made full use of their possible scope: instead they have been content to produce a selection of mediocrely presented one-acts, together with a major production or two, in the main experiments, that can only be described as not reaching the highest possible standard that they could have reached. These remarks must be qualified here by saying that their comparative failure was not due to any lack of enthusiasm on the part of the cast and other members, but to a number of other factors, chief among which have been lack of suitable halls, lack of experienced producers, lack of finance (chronic) and the whole complex problem that strikes most cultural clubs—lack of full-time students who are prepared to put the time necessary into such activities to make them the success they deserve to be.
The Drama Club in particular has been faced with the additional problem in the lack of suitable storage space for bulky props, costumes, etc. Such then in general are the problems that have beset the Drama Club in the past and have to a certain extent prevented it from doing full justice to itself.
Will the Drama Club in the coming year widen its activities to their fullest possible extent? I have great hopes for the future of the club and I feel that the energy that members put into the club has now born fruit.
There has even at this early stage been an unprecedented number of enquiries regarding its activities. Further there are already plans being made for an immediate widening of scope. There are great possibilities and I only hope that every one of them will be exploited.
A Wish
One realm in particular that has been [ unclear: untouched] is that of play-writing. It arises from the experience gained after the first Successful Drama Festival conducted with Winter Tournament last year. The policy has now been suggested that VUC send only original plays to Tournament. This I venture to suggest holds the greatest possibilities in encouraging original composition in this college and the use of the theatre as a vehicle for expression.
There are similarly fields for cultural development in stage and set designing; musical accompaniment and in movement and speech-training. All these activities will not only benefit the Drama Club's productions but also would integrate its doings with those of other clubs such as the Glee Club, Musical Committee and the Literary Society.
I await with eagerness the forthcoming major production " She Stoops To Conquer" which would seem to be even in its present embryonic state to have overcome the major problems facing it. But it can only be a success if it has the support of all the students of the college, in not only coming along but in noising abroad to all who may be interested, news of its forthcoming appearance.
The Drama Club through the energy of itself and of all students can add immeasurably to the welfare of the student body and furthermore the college.
C.G.P.