Introducing the Wainuiomata Dramatic and Operatic Society Inc
This is an extract that appeared in the programme of the first production by the newly formed society:
For some years past the need has been felt for a Dramatic Society in Wainuiomata, and as the community has grown and progressed, so had that feeling increased. Up to the present, local live shows have been supplied by the Country Women’s Institute Drama Circle and the Wainuiomata Music Society, whose evenings of one-act plays and choral concerts have entertained many appreciative audiences. The scope of these enthusiastic bodies was, however, limited, not all singers liked choral work, and it is most difficult to entice the husbands of Institute members to tread the boards.
In 1954 Mr Bruce Mason (see note 1 below) was persuaded to write a play for the Drama Circle. He wrote a musical satire entitled SLY GROG which, owing to the lack of singers, was not accepted. The following year the same play, slightly modified and renamed THE LICENSED VICTUALLER, was again offered. The same lack of singers prevented its acceptance by the Drama Circle, so a special group was formed to present it at the British Drama League Festival. Mr Mason gave a considerable amount of time to the production which was successful at the Festival, winning the “B” grade trophy, together with the cup for the best “out of town” production. In the same year, the Drama Circle won the Hutt Valley Federation cup for the fourth time in succession.
The fillip given to drama in Wainuiomata by the successes was sufficient encouragement to the enthusiasts who had dreamed so long for a full scale Dramatic Society to cause a general meeting to be called. This was October 1955. Later at an inaugural meeting at which Mr S Campbell and Miss O Harding of the British Drama League, and Mr T Easterbrook-Smith of the Council of Adult education were present, the decision was taken to incorporate.
Thus began the LITTLE THEATRE.
Productions were staged from 1956 in the old Public Hall. Of the three halls in Wainuiomata at that time the old Public Hall was the only one with a stage, and even this had to be extended to accommodate productions. This was achieved by Mr Ivan Bushell constructing a portable apron stage.
1960 saw a change in name from the Wainuiomata Dramatic and Operatic Society to Wainuiomata Little Theatre, the reason being that the latter more aptly described activities of the Society which had not performed anything of a musical nature during its five years of existence.
Officers elected for 1955-56 were:
| Patron: | Mr Bruce Mason |
| President: | Mr Ivan Bushell |
| Secretary/Treasurer: | Mrs Dorothy Pope |
| Committee: | A Anker, Nyra Bentley, Anne Bushell, Joan Caldwell, Constance Kerslake, Alison Lawrence, G G Lensen, Des Long, Prue Wilson |
Note 1: Bruce Edward George Mason, CBE (28 September 1921 – 31 December 1982) was a significant playwright in New Zealand who wrote 34 plays and influenced the cultural landscape of the country through his contribution to theatre. In 1980, he was awarded the prestigious CBE. The Bruce Mason Award, one of the most important playwrighting accolades in New Zealand, is named in his honour. Mason was also an actor, critic, and fiction writer. Mason’s most well-known play is The End of the Golden Weather, a classic work in New Zealand theatre which was made into a feature film directed by Ian Mune in 1991. Another significant play is The Pohutukawa Tree written during the 1950s and 1960s. The Pohutukawa Tree was Mason’s first major success and explored Māori and Pākehā themes, a common thread in most of his works. Theatre was an avenue for Mason to highlight social and political issues in New Zealand society. He translated Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard for radio in 1960. His works of solo theatre was collected under the title Bruce Mason Solo (1981) and included The End of the Golden Weather. Published in 1987 was The Healing Arch, a cycle of five plays, including The Pohutukawa Tree and Hongi which focus on Māori culture post European contact.