THEATRE IN N.Z.

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30338, 14 January 1964, Page 9

THEATRE IN N.Z.

London Group As Basis? [From the London Correspondent of “The Press”! LONDON, December 30. The flatteringly warm reception traditionally given by New Zealand audiences to priductions from overseas combined with the evidence to suggest that live national theatre there may be doomed to extinction has induced in a theatrical group in London a desperate desire to demonstrate the quality of the Dominion’s actors, producers and writers.

Tha>'2 Bettany, one of the it' ang spirits in the group, described the “attitude of the general New Zealand audience which seemed to think that anything from ‘overseas’ must be so much better than anything of its own.” This, of course, applied only to < the professional theatre, he said. “Amateur theatre demands a local loyally, and this is very strong. On the other hand, overseas productions can afford a far more lavish publicity and advertising campaign. “So, With these points in mind, a few of us here, all ex-New Zealand Players, feel that if we can do something to tackle the issue from this end, where we can continue to earn our living in the professional theatre and make a success of it, we stand a better chance of forming the basis of a professional New

Zealand theatre coming from ‘overseas.’ We hope to show that New Zealand actors, producers, writers, and so on can hold their own with any other theatre anywhere.” ’ Apart from a personal purpose inspired by members’ concern with theatre in New Zealand, the group regards itself as a shop window for New Zealand playwrights and designers. It will shortly present James K. Baxters “The Wide Open Cage” at the Corona Stage School Theatre, Ravenscourt Park, hear London.