Combined Schools’ Play Production

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29800, 17 April 1962, Page 21

Combined Schools’ Play Production

Believed to be the first venture of its kind in New Zealand, and one that has aroused wide interest, a combined secondary schools' production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is being organised and sponsored by the Christchurch and North Canterbury area of the British Drama League. The production will be presented on August 13, 14 and 15 at the Repertory Theatre as part of the Canterbury Repertory Theatre Society's second Festival of Shakespeare. The project originated two months ago with the area’s immediate past-president (Mr W. E. Cook) and has been enthusiastically endorsed by the newly-elected president (Mr Hunter Bell) and the

area executive, “The fact that Mr Heath Joyce has accepted our invi-

t tation to direct the produc- ’ tion, in addition to producing > "The Tempest" for the Reper- ■ tory Society in the previous. ■ week of the festival, attests 'to its value as an outstand- • ing training opportunity for > young actors,” said Mr Bell. A very large number of i young students have already applied for audition, Mr Bell i added, and 50 to 60 will be l required for the production. ’ Auditions will be held on Saturday, May 5, with rei hearsals beginning on two I full days. May 17 and 18, during the first-term holi- > days. Throughout the second > term Mr Joyce will hold re- ■ hearsals after school hours ion Tuesday and Thursday ' afternoons and for three t hours each Saturday morns ing.

Mr Trevor Pitt, who first attracted attention as a young actor in the junior festival five years ago and is now specialising in set designing with a professional career in view, will design, build and paint the sets for the production. Costumes will be designed by Valentina Gordienko. All abilities and interests will be catered for, said Mr Bell, and apart from sewing costumes, several students have already volunteered to assist in set-building and painting, assembling properties, and as backstage and front-of-house staff. Many more would be needed, he said. Ballets in the production, set to Mendelssohn’s music, will be staged by the Sorraine Peters School of Ballet.