Goon Invited

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31043, 26 April 1966, Page 11

Goon Invited

There is a strong possibility of a New Zealand visit by Spike Milligan in connexion with a production of his play by Wellington’s Downstage Thea-tre-Cafe.

Martyn Sanderson, artistic director of Downstage, told “The Press” he had written to the goon telling him of the success of John Antrobus’s “You’ll Come To Love Your Sperm Test” at Downstage and had invited him to send the scripts of the plays “The Bed-Sitting Room” and “Son of Oblomov.” “I also invited him to come out in person if he could,” Sanderson said. “He replied that he was certain to tour Australia with ‘The BedSitting Room’ and might be able to visit New Zealand after that.

“He was writing later to tell us the dates. When we know these we will be able to decide when to put it on, and whether to do it at Downstage or in a bigger theatre.” Written by Milligan and Antrobus, “The Bed-Sitting Room” tells the story of an Indian Army colonel who turned into a bed-sitting room.

“Sperm Test,” which played for only a week in London and Melbourne, completed its world record run of seven weeks at Downstage last week to make room for Albee’s “The Zoo Story.” The whacky hit could easily [have packed houses for another week, but will be revived later. Tours are being negotiated with Palmerston North and Blenheim. Martyn Sanderson has been invited to produce it in Sydney with Australian actors for a new theatre-cafe. “Paul Stockman, who was making a film with Roger Mirams, saw the play at Downstage. He rang me from Sydney the other day to say that on the strength of what he had seen he had decided to open a theatre-cafe in Sydney,” he said. “He was making over a restaurant and wanted me to produce ’Sperm Test’ for its opening. I don’t know if I’ll go yet because he didn’t mention any dates.” Downstage's small art gallery is nearly completed and a range of works by Christchurch artists will be displayed there for sale in its first “show” next month.