NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27615, 23 March 1955, Page 9

NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS

GOVERNMENT GRANT OF £3OOO "The Press" Special Service WELLINGTON, March 22. A grant of £3OOO has been made to the New Zealand Players by the Government for capital purposes. The grant was announced by the Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr S. W. Smith) at a back-stage supper party after the first night of the company’s new production, “Escapade.” Mr Smith spoke of the service the company was performing in bringing the theatre to young and old. He paid a tribute to Mr and Mrs Richard Campion, without whom, he said, there would be no New Zealand Players. Mr Campion announced that the New Zealand Players’ next production would be Shaw’s “Saint Joan” with Edith Campion in the title role. He said that “Saint Joan’’ would be taken to all the main provincial centres and there would be special afternoon performances for secondary schools. Edith Campion has been preparing for the role for some time. When in Britain she studied aspects of the part with Glen Byam Shaw, now codirector of the Stratford Company. Recently she discussed with Dame Sybil Thorndike, when Dame Sybil Thorndike was in New Zealand, the intentions and ideas given by Shaw when directing the first performance. On the New Zealand Players first tour Edith Campion appeared in "The Young Elizabeth.” For the last 18 months she has been busy looking after two small daughters.