U.N.E.S.C.O. MEETING

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29734, 30 January 1962, Page 8

U.N.E.S.C.O. MEETING

Conference For Playwrights

U.N.E.S.C.O. will sponsor a six-day conference on the problems of developing Aus tralian theatre at the second Adelaide Festival of Arts next March. “We believe a conference of this nature can be a most important stimulus at the present time," said the festival’s chief executive officer (Mr C. C. Wicks). “We have a number of outstanding playwrights in this country and many more writers who need only encouragement. Through the Australian Advisory Committee for U.N.E.S.C.O. we are therefore inviting leading writers, producers and theatre directors to meet during the second week of the festival.” Mr Wicks said that the conference would be financed by the Adelaide Festival. U.N.E.5.C.0., the Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, J C. Williamson, Ltd. and Adelaide University's department of adult education. Organising assistance would also oe given by the Commonwealth Office of Education. The conference director will be Professor Robert Quentin, director of the National Institute of Drama. University of New South Wales. The aims of the conference are:

To bring together Australian writers, producers, and representatives of theatres and television studios, together with interested students. To examine the ideas and difficulties of the Australian playwright in relation to the needs of producers and managers.

To encourage the interest ot established writers not at present writing for television or theatre, as well as of new writers. To bring writers into touch with problems and tech niques of theatre pro* duction. To discuss plays and performances, and meet producers from overseas.

At least three overseas producers are expected to be in Adelaide for the festival.