Little Chance Now In Choice Of Stars

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31089, 18 June 1966, Page 2

Little Chance Now In Choice Of Stars

The chances of a stage-struck youngster being discovered in a Hollywood drugstore are lessening every year, according to a Christchurch speech and drama teacher, Mrs Doreen Corrick yesterday.

Television, theatre, and film producers are seeking new talent among young people who have been to university and obtained a degree in theatre arts.

Mrs Corrick and her family recently returned from a month’s trip to California, the prize she was awarded for winning a “Pick the Song*’ contest. Before she left, Mrs Corrick was given an introduction to a film star, Beulah Bondi, by Mr H. G. Hay. Miss Bondi got her an introduction to the drama department of the University of California, Los Angeles. Mrs Corrick was astounded by the equipment and opportunities available to U.C.L.A. drama students. The drama department houses two main theatres, a small laboratory theatre seating 170 and the playhouse which seats about 600.

These are connected by an outdoor lobby containing 12 dressing rooms for both theatres. Behind these is a huge workshop shut off by

i sound-proof doors, where the i students learn design and ■ make props. There are two other small : theatres, rehearsal and lecture rooms, a puppet laborat-

ory, a reception area and : about 40 offices for faculty and staff, said Mrs Corrick. The equipment and lighting was the latest and the best

she had seen. Mrs Corrick was most impressed by the main theatre. Acustically it was perfect, she said. Persons standing on the stage and talking at normal volume could be heard clearly at the back of the theatre. Years of research had been put into acoustics. The sides and back of the stage were treated with fibreglass acoustical board. The proscenium arch was adjustable to regulate the size of the stage and the side wings could be moved and folded away.

The auditorium was fan shaped, the side walls were covered with hardwood and the back wall with ribbed hardwood. The glass control, and observation booths at the rear of the theatre were angled for additional sound reflection to the back seats.

The seating arrangements were different from in New Zealand. Continental seating which eliminates the centre aisle was installed and the space between rows was wider. Exits were provided by three rows of double doors on each side. Students were given great scope for creative freedom in all aspects of the theatre, said Mrs Corrick. During their course, students have to produce a play from start to finish. Mrs Corrick said she saw a production of “The Maids,” by Genet and thought it very well done. Well Groomed Mrs Corrick was also impressed by the fact that the students wore the same sort of clothes worn by any wellgroomed young person. She saw none of the “arty-type” garments that so many wouldbe New Zealand actors and actresses feel they must wear. During their visit, Mrs Corrick and her family visited Las Vegas and San Francisco and some of California’s tourist attractions such as Disneyland and Marineland. New Zealand documentaries shown on colour television were generating a lot of interest in the United States. Mrs Corrick lost count of the number of people who told her they had seen a film on New Zealand and how they wanted to make a visit.

The Corrick family also visited a television film studio where they were shown over the Munster’s house, the outdoor set for “McHale’s Navy,” Lana Turner’s dressing room —a lavishly-furnished bungalow—and sets of forthcoming films, including a new Hitchcock production with Julie Andrews.