PLAYERS STILL HOPING FOR GOVERNMENT AID

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29250, 7 July 1960, Page 14

PLAYERS STILL HOPING FOR GOVERNMENT AID

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, July 6. The necessity for the New Zealand Players to withdraw “A View From the Bridge” and to dismiss almost all the board’s experienced technical and adminis-

trative staff had emphasised the point that the theatre arts could not make their proper contribution to the development of New Zealand unless they had adequate finance, said Mr G. H. A. Swan, acting chairman of the New Zealand Players Theatre Trust Board, ir a statement today on behalf of the Theatre Arts Committee. He said the committee, representative of the Players, the New Zealand Opera Company and the New Zealand Ballet Company, was recently established to coordinate future plans. “We will continue to press for a favourable decision from the Government in reply to the joint representations made last March to the Prime Minister when we requested that regular funds be made available on an annual basis from a vote placed on the Estimates,” ke said. “We are all of the opinion that such Government assistance is an integral part of any long-term plan for placing the professional theatre in a sound position. “Meanwhile the three organisations are planning for the maximum co-ordination of our equipment, facilities and staff.” Mr Swan said the committee was examining possibilities of supplementing, from the public and commercial community, whatever funds the Government made available. He thanked those who had made donations to the Players and said money received would in the meantime, be paid into a special account and held for the joint appeal.