“SUMMER OF 17th DOLL”

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28929, 24 June 1959, Page 20

“SUMMER OF 17th DOLL”

Australian Plav’s Tour Of VZ

Ray Lawler’s play, the “Summer of the Seventeenth Doll,” which is to open in Christchurch on July 4. is the first Australian play with an Australian cast to reach the West End.

The play, which has nearly completed its tour of the North Island, was first presented at the Union Repertory Theatre, Melbourne, in 1956, by producer John Sumner. “The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll” then went to Sydney under the auspices of the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust.

Since then it has been produced in London, New York. Washington, Edinburgh. and nearly all the main cities of Great Britain; in South Africa. Germany, Ireland. Sweden and Norway. It has been presented in every capital city of Australia and in the country centres of New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria.

The play was filmed in Australia early this year by the Hecht. Hill and Lancaster combine.

The play is about a group of men and womcri. all more or less clinging to the past, who have been meeting to enjoy themselves every year during the lay-off season in the sugar-cane fields. For 16 years there have been wonderful parties and, they believe, one long stream of happiness. Each year Roo Webber (played by Peter Aanenson) has brought Olive Leech (Patricia Hill) a gaudy kijwpie doll. This year, the seventeenth year, everything goes wrong. John Sumner, who has produced the Australian, London and New York productions, is ths producer on the New Zealand tour. He is general manager of the Elizabethan Theatre Trust Opera Company. Ethel Gabriel, who plays the part of Emma, Olive Leech’s crusty but wise old mother, is the sole member of the original cast. She also plays the part of Emma in the Hollywood film version.

Miss Gabriel’s son. Ben, plays the part of Barney Ibbot.

The New Zealand tour is being made in association with the New Zealand Players’ Theatre Trust.