DISTINCTIVE N.Z. DRAMA DEPENDS ON LANGUAGE

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28800, 22 January 1959, Page 12

DISTINCTIVE N.Z. DRAMA DEPENDS ON LANGUAGE

LjtbWLffiWHMjffiwn <* • native 1 be conMr Sumner, a producer eetre Trust, wlio said in * r v t ” * b 3- ' ’ 1’ «n' indlvidiMil language, and When New Zealanders conaider they have a language of twrittag, very much for his own tattmtar—and that will be the [beginning of your native drama.” . Drama Scheel. Mr Sumner, who is a Londoner, and wm a merchant navy mate in World /War n, was in New Zealand to lecture-at the New Zealand Drama Council's school at lasse; Agricultural College. '--.••There were more than 70 students there* and. I met moat bf the- people Who are active in the theatre in New Zealand. Their interest end knowledge of the drama as it is developing overseas is very good, and I found the students -most receptive. “They are enthusiastic, well grounded, and resourceful. We had professionals, amateurs from good companies, and others who are just beginners. A number of them are quite talented, and I am looking forward to seeing more of them later on.” - Asked to comment whether it was -wise to mix professionals in the theatre with amateurs of widely different experience in one drama school, Mr Sumner said, “at the moment it is essential if the drama council is to build up sufficient demand to run a practical course. “The demand is certainly growing, and before long the council will be embarrassed by the number of people wanting to come to its schools. They have only been running for 10 years.” Leon Sindcn, who is at present with the New Zealand Players, was another of the overseas lecturers at the school, said Mr. Sumner. "Both he and I learnt a lot by having to put into words the things that we usually do by

instinct—he as an actor, and myself as aproducer.” Later thia year, probably -about May, Mr Sumner hopes to - bring Ray Lawlor’s “Summer of the Seventeenth, DpU” to New Zea* land, with an Elizabethan Theatre Trust cast, of which one member has played with the company in both London and America. She is Ethel Gabriel, who .plays the mother, and is now working on the film of the.play, whiclv is being produced- '“She has peen colossal success.” said Mr Sum"We 'are hoping the New iealand Players may be able to help us, particularly in management. Their knowledge.. experience and reputation in New Zealand would be: of considerable assistance to us. . (•Both the Players and the Elirabethan Trust have. the. same aims. Both are non-profit organisations, backed by private' interests and their Government. It would be nice if they could do the same some day, and make an Australian tour.” \ Although Mr Sumner hopes to come to New Zealand briefly with the trust company, and will be helping to produce the “Doll” before the tour, he la returning to Australia to become general manager of the trust’s opera company. Previously he was manager for the State of Victoria and before that he was general manager of the Elizabethan Theatre in Sydney. He left for Australia last evening by air.