BRITISH ACTORS REVISIT N.Z.

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27501, 8 November 1954, Page 13

BRITISH ACTORS REVISIT N.Z.

Barbara Jef ford And Keith Michell

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, November 7. Barbara Jefford and Keith Michell, who were in £Tew Zealand less than two years ago as leading members of the Shakespeare Memorial Theatre Company of Stratford, returned to Auckland by air today. Miss Jefford and Mr Michell will take the leading parts in the New Zealand Players’ “The Lady’s Not for Burning.” They left London by air on Tuesday. The Stratford season had closed only three days before. The director of the New Zealand Players (Mr Richard Campion) and Mrs Campion were at Whenuapai to meet them. When here previously. Mis Jefford married Terence Longdon, another Shakespearean actor. She said today that she met her husband in San Francisco. He is there with an Old Vic company, playing Lysander in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The company, she said, was led by Robert Helpmann and Moira Shearer. She had seen her husband for only aoout six weeks this year. Miss Jefford said. It was not easy to get away from Stratford during the season, and he had been in Spain and Rome for films. Mr Michell said that coming to New Zealand gave him the chance to visit his home in Adelaide. “Also I am interested in the future of the theatre out here and in Australia,” he said. Next season, the Olliviers would be at Stratford, said Mr Michell, and he would return there himself. In spite of rumours, Anthony Quayle was staying at Stratford as co-director with Glen Byam Shaw.

Miss Jefford and Mr Michell will leave for Wellington tomorrow.