GALA OPENING OF "PYGMALION”

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28513, 17 February 1958, Page 2

GALA OPENING OF "PYGMALION”

After-Show Supper Party

The Dominion premiere of the New Zealand Players’ production of “Pygmalion” opened at the Theatre Royal on Saturday evening in a truly gala setting, with the ‘‘full- house” sign outside. Festoons of pink and blue hydrangeas were entwined up the banister to the dress circle, huge pedestal bowls of flowers had been artistically arranged on the landing and in the foyers. The ledge of the dress circle was massed with blooms—pink, blue and red predominating. Flowers and greenery decorated the orchestral pit After the performance, the Canterbury branch of the New Zealand Players Foundation entertained members of the New Zealand Players Theatre Trust Board and their guests at a supper party in the circle foyer. More than 160 attended. They were received by Mr W. G. V. Fernie. the Canterbury governor of the New Zealand Players Theatre Trust, and Mrs Fernie. “Special Occasion”

“This is a very special occasion for several reasons,” said Mr G. H. A. Swan, vice-chairman of the trust, who was deputising for the chairman (Sir Matthew Oram). “It is the first time we have been able to open a show in Christchurch; this play_showed to magnificent advantage Christchurch’s own Biddy Lenihan; and it is the first time we have ever put out the ‘full house’ sign for any play,” he said.

Mr Swan welcomed three overseas players in the present cast Leon Sinden, Antony Groser, and Barbara Leake, and the new producer, Mr Stafford Byrne. Mr Byrne said he had great faith in what the company could do and what it must achieve.

“It is with the young people we must do it,” he said. “I am all for starting a school, because we cannot just draft people into a company at short notice. It has been a wonderful experience producing this company in this play.” Mrs Fernie wore a frock. of dark blue poult taffeta made with heart-shaped neckline and full skirt and a squirrel cape. Miss Brigid Lenihan’s black velvet sheath frock was cut with a square neckline and worn with a rope of white beads. Special Guests

Specially-invited guests included the following:—Mr and Mrs G. H. A. Swan, Mr and Mrs C. R. Smith, Mr and Mrs W. G. V. Fernie, Messrs D. I. Macdonald and M. Walker, governors of the trust board; the Bishop of Christchurch (the Rt. Rev. A. K. Warren) and Mrs Warren; the Dean of Christchurch (the Very Rev. Martin Sullivan) and Mrs Sullivan; the Minister of Social Security (Miss Howard), the Town Clerk (Mr H. S. Feast) and Mrs Feast; Mr and Mrs W. Calder Mackay, Mr and Mrs C. W. Hamann, Mr and Mrs George Guy, Mr and Mrs R. O’Reilly, Mr and Mrs D. Bain, Mr and Mrs F. Newman, and Miss Ngaio Marsh.