ENGLISH THEATRE COMPANY

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25427, 25 February 1948, Page 3

ENGLISH THEATRE COMPANY

SOUTH ISLAND TOUR PLANNED

OPENING IN CHRISTCHURCH NEXT MONTH

After an unbroken season of seven months in Auckland, the New Zealand Theatre Company will begin its Soutn Island season at the Theatre Royal on March 6. Its first play will be “No Medals,’’ a play . out the trials of British women in war time, by Fsther McCracken, and this will be followed by Terence Rattigan’s comedy, “French Without Tears.” Provision has been made for a return season in Christchurch after visits to other South Island centres, and the plays selected for presentation are “The Light of Heart,” by Emlyn Williams. Kenneth Horne’s “Fools Rush In,” and either “The Man from the Ministry” or “The Shop at Sly Corner.” The New Zealand Theatre Companv •s composed of West End* artists who were brought to New Zealand to establish the first professional theatre in this c'untry. 'd some New

•and players. . Produ»'Hnn director ol* the company is Ronald Fortt, who has had 20 years’ stage experience in Britain as a producer and actor. He has also appeared in films and has taken parts in radio plays. His last play before leaving London for New Zealand was “No Medals.” which ran for two years and in which he played with Fay Compton. He will play the same role when “No Medals” is presented in Christchurch.

One of the leading actresses of the company is Helen Franklyn. who in private life is the wife of Ronald Fortt. She has appeared not only in major stage parts but also' in rausi*cal shows and on the concert planform. Her most recent parts have been in “Mother of Men,” with Barbara Mullen, and “Mrs Dane’s Defence,” with Mary Ellis. A New Zea-land-born actress is Molly Raynor, who went to Britain after stage exoerience in Australia. Her last London appearance was in “Tne Women.” During the war she worked with Ensa in the Middle East. Another leading actor is Gabriel Toyne. who first visited Australia and New Zealand in 1932 as producer of the company which presented “The Barretts of Wimpole Street” and “Happy and Glorious.” He has directsor played in more than 150 plays and also has arranged opera and ballet Last year he was director of the ' est Riding Theatre for t u Arts Council of Great Britain. His wife, Diana Beau mont, is also a member of the company. She began her stage career at the age of 12 in “Peter Pan,” and has appeared in a number of British films The youngest member of the company to come from England is Henry Hepworth, who started his stage careea*- a boy actor. After war in Burrfta he filled engagements in the Grant Andpr-nn Repertory Comnany at the Torch Theatre. London, and in Sir Laurence Olivier’s film production of “Hamlet.” Hugh Moxey spent four years with the Birmingham Repertory Companv under the direction of Sii Barry Jackson, and later joined the company headed by Sir Cedric Hardwicke. He was a prisoner of war for three and a half years in Java, an J after his release joined a company of -eturned servicemen ar _i w .-ien. Recently he completed London engagements with Robert Donat’s compan;. at the Aldwych Theatre and witn John Mills’s company at the Strand Theatre. A New Zealand member of the company who is known to Christchurch audiences is Norman Ettlinger. He played the title role in the Canterbury Universitv College Drama Society production of “Mac> by Nsaio Marsn