Young Christchurch Actor To Play Part Of Christ

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30586, 31 October 1964, Page 16

Young Christchurch Actor To Play Part Of Christ

The principal role of Christ in the PanPacific Arts Festival presentation of the York Cycle of Mystery Plays will be played by a young New Zealand actor, Mr Jon Elsom, of Christchurch.

Mr Elsom, who has been in Britain for the last five years, will return home in December to begin rehearsals. Mr James Collins, chairman of the Christchurch PanPacific Arts Festival, announced last evening that Mr Elsom had accepted the role. He said that although Mr Elsom had not seen a production of the York Cycle when ae was approached, the play’s reputation was such he felt It an honour to be invited to take the part, and was happy ,o accept.

In common with many other drama bursars, Mr Elsom wished to repay something of the debt he felt he owed his country, and con-

sidered this an excellent opportunity to do so, Mr Collins said.

Mr Elsom was rapidly making a name for himself as a leading actor in the English theatre. After two years’ training at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art he played in leading repertory companies in Dundee, Glasgow and Canterbury, then in a revue at Oxford. In London he had the leading role in a 8.8. C. television suspense play “The White Hot Coal.” In a television production of Chekov’s “The Duel” he played opposite Paul Rogers. He then joined the Salisbury Company for “Twelfth Night,” and remained for three further productions. His recent work included playing at Hornchurch, a modern dress production of “Henry V” in London, and Pinero’s farce “Sweet Lavendar” with George Benson at Canterbury. Before Mr Elsom was awarded a drama bursary by the Arts Advisory Council, he worked with Miss Ngaio Marsh on set and costume designing. He gained a diploma of fine arts at the Canterbury University School of Fine Arts.

While studying for his diploma, Mr Elsom appeared in three plays—“ King Lear,” “Henry V,” and “Hamlet”— for the Canterbury University Drama Society and designed the sets and costumes for the

latter two. He also appeared in student revues. In 1959 he toured with the Southern Comedy Players in three of their productions—“A Doctor in the House,” “While the Sun Shines,” and “Salad Days.”

Mr Elsom is the son of the well-known Christchurch portrait painter, Mrs Vi Elsom, and Mr W. S. Elsom.