More Workshop Evenings Of N.Z. Plays Advocated

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29851, 18 June 1962, Page 15

More Workshop Evenings Of N.Z. Plays Advocated

Other areas could well follow Wellington's example in holding area workshop evenings of New Zealand-written Ptlays, said Mr E. Kemeys (Wellington). who represented the national executive at a regional meeting organised by the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League in Christchurch on Saturday. Several plays were submitted to two selected groups who then chose to present one at such an evening, Mr Kemeys said. The playwrights were usually considerably helped by audience discussion on the plays. A high-ranking official of the American Embassy, who attended a recent workshop evening in Wellington, was so impressed by one of the plays, “Teen Street,” by Muriel Dalton, oi Wainui-o-mata, that he was arranging for its television production in the United States.

The scheme was supported by Mr H. Pointer, a Christchurch playwright. New Zealand theatre must essentially be built around New Zealand playwrights, , Mr Pointer said, but many plays were written which never saw the light of day. The league should guarantee that at least the winning plays in its annual playwrighting competition were staged by a good cast with a good producer, Single copies of such plays were placed in the league's library, but many more could be placed to ensure that they were read and produced by groups throughout the country. Mr H. Bell, the area president, said' he hoped workshop evenings could also be organised in Christchurch Three plays by Christchurch playwrights were among the 20 entries in the area festival in July. Interest in the Nora Ratcliff tour had been no less than on her last visit in 1959, said a South Island vice-

president, Mr J. C. Kay (Timaru). but he hoped areas still to be visited could emphasise the value of her schools to young people aged between 18 and 25. Mrs Ratcliff would begin a week’s visit to Christchurch with a week-end school from August 31 to September 2. A paper on the management and organisation of an area festival, with points needing special attention, was presented by Mr Kemeys. The league’s play-lending library (the largest in New Zealand), royalties and playing rights, the quarterly newsletter, area extension and consolidation and the development of drama in schools were among other subjects discussed. Representatives of the North Otago and South Canterbury areas attended the meeting with members of affiliated clubs in the Christchurch and North Canterbury area. Mrs I. E. Familton <Oamaru). a South Island vice-president, presided with Mr Kay.