A Handbook for the Amateur Theatre by Peter Cotes (review)

66 MODERN DRAMA May A HANDBOOK FOR THE AMATEUR THEATRE, by Peter Cotes, New York, Phllosopbical Library, Inc., 1957, 424 pp. Price $12.50. From England comes a new book on the amateur theatre by a man well acquainted with both the amateur and professional theatre of England and America. He views with enthusiasm. idealism and high praise those Don.professianal groups, which, the world over, are dedicated to the serious production of worth-while drama. Yet he takes a hard and level-headed look at the problems involved and warns of dangerous pitfalls. The fust half of the book deals with the various areas of theatre production. A Dumber of the chapters on technical theatre, each written by an expert in his respective field, add little to the bulk of material already available on the subject. Moreover, since this is a British publication, the names and numbers of materials and instruments and addresses of suppliers are of little value to the American thespian . The diScussions of the actor. director and playwright, however, contributed by Mr. Cotes himself, are fresh, professional in approach and inspiring. Emphasizing loyalty to the script, discipline and the importance of "ensemble," these chapters include much that our amateur theatre is Dot yet aware of aDd our professional theatre has forgotten. . The chapters on Business Management aDd Publicity form the hard core of the book. Here, Cotes feels, is the ogre which most often threatens the success of dramatic ventures. Regardless of the high intentions and talent of the group, shaky business management usually insures doom. Cotes drives home his poiDt through detailed suggestions and examples. . /' The chapter entitled "Shaw and the Amateur" at first glance seems out of place in a play production book, but the reader soon realizes that Shaw's wit and wisdom reflect Cotes' own deep-seated belief in the value and necessity of amateur companies . He quotes from a speech once delivered by Shaw, ".. . the drama in this country aDd in every country is not kept alive by the great theatres ... but by the love of the people for the drama and the attempts they make themselves, when they are starved by the professional circuits, to give performances in the places the professional circuits do not reach." The remainder of the book is a frank discussion of the successes and failures of amateur ventures in the far-flung countries and colonies of the British Commonwealth . The material is interesting as an historical record, but of little immediate value to an American producing company which has turned to the book for practical information and advice. Also included are a glossary of theatrical terminology, a bibli.ography of helpful books listed by subject, an impressive list of British organizations which aid amateur societies and a list of theatrical publishers and suppliers, all British. The twenty-seven pages of photographs do little to illuminate the text. The latest British import has much to recommend it, although it is of limited value to amateur theatre actors. directors and producers in the United States. JACK BROOlCING ...