STAGE REFORM.

Inangahua Times, Volume V, Issue 39, 13 May 1878, Page 2

STAGE REFORM.

I,n a oiroular issued by tho J)ramatio "ftTOiaTfOh" iii Jfetr?eTiOstor, which" has boon formed to '• dis'coyrngo a« far as posnibio, tW porfprmrtneo of plays tending to favor or to suggost laxity of morals, nnd to support mnungors in their oflorts to substitute those of ft higher tono," nppoara n lottor amongst others, from Pro* fos>or Blnckie, Tho I'rofosnor writes— I, need riot say that I warmly Bynipnthiao with your wovexnonl in tiie direction of drnmatio" reform.' T,o m^olf personally tho thoatro hna been a great source of ■ both instruction and nmu.Bomont,^ and Ij IhBVo tftkon every opportunity that offiared of publicly saying op ir^ tho face not a 'little prejudico and, hostility from tho y^roiigfhoadod piotjij sour rjiflrisaism ioijd narrow-mindod^l^iosHy, not uncommon in son^o olaHßos o^ot^prwifjo very oKcoHont Christian poppjo in my country, Jj woro in n situafipyj of in^ionco. in tho prno^onl, world, suoh - off thufc pj^ Lord, jkayor inln oity> or bisfepp in tho church \ would consider it my 'duty tp'onoourn 1 ago managers of theatres in their most prniaoworthy endonyow tp furnish Iho^ p'coplo with Uio best spcoimons of tho most elevating ' species of public ontortiiinmcnt"; while I' should nt th' o samb timo systematically withold my counto* naneo from all thoso, who abused tlvo •nnturnl dpliglit of nil hoaltby»minhod mon in drnraatio roprosontations for the purpose of pandering to tho dogruded tastes of tho moat corrupt mombors of tho oommunity. That oomoUung might, bo dpno in thio way by the cpmbinn'tton of wlso nncl good men no doubt, ond^ shall over bo wilfinp to oo«opornto with them in any action towards tho improvement' of tho fltnge, so far as J, can do so within thonnvrow' limits oftho otudpnt world m which I move.".