‘High Standard Of N.Z. Plays’

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31247, 20 December 1966, Page 27

‘High Standard Of N.Z. Plays’

New Zealand plays were of a standard comparable with those written overseas, said an Otago playright, Mr Wayne Tourelle, of Kaitangata, on Saturday.

However, the only way New Zealand playwrights could have their works accepted as part of the literature of this country was to have them ■ published, he said. He was speaking at a coffee party held by the Christchurch and North Canterbury area of the New Zealand branch of the British Drama League to celebrate the publication of Mr Tourelle’s first play, “The Long Wait,” a one-act tragicomedy. The Christchurch and North Canterbury area of the league sponsored the publication of Mr Tourelle’s play by selling subscriptions. So far more than 300 have been sold from the 1300 circulars distributed. Mr Tourelle, aged 25, a farmer, wrote “The Long Wait” in an attempt to over-

come the boredom he felt after returning to Kaitangata from Christchurch where he was actively involved in theatre for some years. “I felt that if I didn’t do something I would stagnate.” It was his first attempt at creative writing. Since “The Long Wait” was completed, he has written two other one-act plays. Mr Tourelle said that there was nothing better than for actors to discuss a play with its author while working together. Before “The Long Wait” was first performed by the Milton Drama Club in July last year, rehearsals enabled him to polish the play. At the South Otago area festival his play won the premier award, and later it was placed first at a South Island divisional final at

Dunedin. In September last year, the play was runner-up in the national finals festival at Palmerston North. “The Long Wait” is the second play to be published under the sponsorship of the Christchurch and North Canterbury area of the drama league. The first was “Heads Will Roll,” by Eve Hughes, of Christchurch. The area executive has committed itself to publish two more plays by subscription. DECIMAL CONVERSIONS Decimal currency will be introduced in New Zealand in July, 1967. Recommended conversion rates from 5s to £1 are as follows:

5s 50c 13s $1.30 6s 60c 14s $1.40 7s 70 c 15s $1.50 8s 80c 16s $1.60 9s 90c Z 17s $1.70 10s $1 18s $1.80 Ils $1.10 19s $1.90 12s $1.20 20s $2