For the first time in its history, China will have an International Arts Theatre Group dedicated furthering dramatic and allied arts in the community. Although the Group was first instituted last yea and. presented with marked success "The Soul of the Ch'in" at the Grand Theatre, it is now in a formative stage owing to {ts reorganization on broader and more comprehensive lines, Its ideal, that of permitting highly talented artists, playwrights, musicians and dramatic artists a full scope for self "expression, promises to. bring unique "presentations to Shanghai eventually without threatening com= petition with any of the existing Gramatic organizations already estab: lished here.
'While the whole scheme has been roughly based on principles set fortn by the Little Theatre movement in America, with it parallel associations abroad, the Shanghai group is prlmarily' concerned with directing its activities in pioneering and. exper!~ mental channels, adopting and adapting &3 It progresses and grows, this group brings the unusual contribution "of a lengthy study Europe during which he attended more than 200 productions, white all, both foreign and Chinese supporters of the plan, are primarily Interested {in bringing to the fore, artistic talent Tatent and unexpressed in the community.
No National Boundaries national boundaries will be otwerved In final stage producti for st is hoped that modern Chin plays, translations oth from Chinese and other cultural backgrounds, will be exemplified by th clatly will original aged, while members with a tale signing, musical allied aris connec ted with the theatre will be presented with every opportunity to revel in constructive endeavour.
Scenery, its design and purpose, as spects of preasentation will be thoroughly consider Later, scenery will be painted by themselves. Among those ly interested in the plan Mrs, Chester Fritz, who recently relumed from Europe and America he devoted much time to a wensive study of contemporary theatres provided by several close students of modern drama, it is hoped that Shanghai will eventually be presented veith opportunities of enjoying dramatle presentations typical of the many nations represented in the community.
Another tentative section under consideration may be formed to work specially upon children's. plays in order that the youn in Shanghai may have th the legitimate to young people While no committee has yet bean formally chosen, several most inter~ fosied. persons met recently at the home of Mrs. Fritz to discuss, rear ization, and to outline activities Among them were, in addition to the hostess, the following: Mrs. Wilton Johnson, Mrs, E. Dooley, Mrs, Christopher Chanvellor, Mrs. Julius Wadsworth, Mrs. Hilda Chen.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.