Television Talent Quest To Be Held In City

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29871, 11 July 1962, Page 10

Television Talent Quest To Be Held In City

Talent of all types will have an opportunity to display itself early next month with the introduction to Christchurch of “Have a Shot on Television,’’ the first talent quest to be televised by all three stations in New Zealand. Finalists from Christchurch will compete against Wellington and Auckland talent later this year. Winners of provincial finals will receive £lOO, with prizes of £25 and £lO for second and third place-getters. The winner of the national final will receive £3OO, with £lOO and £5O prizes for the next two places. “Have a Shot on Television” has been a marked success in Auckland, where it is now in its second year. It has superseded a radio programme, “Have a Shot,” which was broadcast in the North Island for several years. Performers will not be auditioned, and those who do not reach the required standard will be “disposed of” by means undisclosed by the Broadcasting Service in Christchurch. In Auckland a pistol is fired —hence the naAne of the programme. Amateur or professional performers over 16 are eligible. There will be no restriction on the type of item, and props will be limited

I only by the size of the studio. Entry forms are available from this morning at the 3YA studio. The programme, of half an hour duration, will be held each Tuesday evening in Christchurch for eight weeks beginning on August 7. There will be time for about 12 items each evening, and these will be judged by a local panel of three. Persons placed second and third in each heat will compete in a provincial final and the first two place-getters in this event will go forward to the final in Wellington on October 28. Items are not to last more than four minutes and will be judged on television entertainment value. National finalists may be required to give two items. Audiences may be admitted to the Christchurch studio if room is found to be sufficient, but this has not been decided yet. Maori Education.— The Gisborne and East Coast committee of the Maori Education Foundation had already more than doubled the £5OOO quota set for it by headquarters in Wellington, said the joint chairmen. Messrs H H. Barker and H K. Ngata. yesterday. Already more than £ll.OOO had been acknowledged.—(P.A.)