The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1938-01-13

Junior Women
Are Thrilled By
Theatre Study

1t is always a sure sign that a
meeting is most interesting when
its members Inger and discuss some
topic introduced by the speakers.
Last Tuesday evening the Junior
Woman's Club held such a meeting
in the community room.
After the business meeting was
adjourned President Mrs. Harold
Thomson requested that Mrs. Ned
Joughin introduce the speaker in
charge of the program, MFR. George
Hayes, of the Libby high school
faculty. Mr. Hayes, in turn, intro
duced Rev. Fl. w. Woods who is
well qualified to speak on the sub
ject of the theatres, having been
both actor and director for many
years.
When we think of drama, began
Rev. Woods, I'VE go back to the be-
ginning of things Since the dawn
of civilization we have had initial
ors and people who acted"
David Garrick was one of the great
actors whose influence has come
right down to the present day even
in our country. The Booth family
was very prominent, especially Ed
win Booth who was SO exception
al. Edwin Booth played heavy
role when only liz years and was
his own coach, working very hard
to improve. 1t is said he worked
three months on one paragraph to
make it express what he wished
There were other actors of the
drama of Shakespeare and other So
called heavy" dramatists.
Taking up the development and
trend of the theatre we find the
comic and burlesque shows gaining
a foothold, then the silent moving
j picture, the 'talkies : and now ir
the offing we have television. How
ever, there is definite swing bach
toward the legitimate stage anc
many actors are leaving the movies
/ to get back to the audiences tina
respond to the action.
Stage work, especially in a stool
company, is very hard and exciting
An actor always has to realize tina
the stage has four walls with tht
audience looking through one o
them. The real actor lives his par
and the amateur tries to act. Accord
ing to Rev. Woods the actor mus
forget his own personality. Line
are one-tenth and what the thought
are behind the lines count for nine
tenths.
On the legitimate stage the prob
lens are much more exact in stag
managing and mechanisrns. Change
have to be made SO quickly an
smoothly and wardrobe change
have to be made at times with light
ming speed. However, there is
real thrill iii playing before res
audience that can't be gained else
where.
Rev. Woods reminisced about hi
interesting experiences and tn
members enjoyed it very much.
MIR. Hayes then spoke very briefl
on a new movement that is bein
developed and advocated. He eS
planned the basis of it is empath,
!, The new theory claims that wher
, realism starts art ceases. The actc
J should not act above a shade wher
it will create the wrong empath
: in the audience. 1t is an elusiv
! meaning and discussion was star
ed concerning it, which lasted fo
some time. In fact, members lir
gered on trying to understand an
make up their mind about the prc
, and cons of the new idea. Anywa,
] it was a very novel idea and tt
Juniors will watch its Gevelopmei
4 with great interest.
G During the discussion tasty n
:, freshments were served by Mi
Y Viona Brown, Miss Grace Day, Mi
e William Baeth, and Mrs. Gunn'
i: Larson.
]