Theatre May Die Without Support

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31379, 26 May 1967, Page 2

Theatre May Die Without Support

Actors and directors in America, Australia, England and New Zealand had been enormously interested in the establishment of a professional theatre company in Canterbury.. From over 550 applicants, 140 were selected for auditions by the director of the Canterbury Theatre Trust (Mr John Kim).

When Mr Kim addressed the Canterbury Travel Club yesterday morning, he said he had travelled to England and America to audition applicants. Selections had been made and the result was “a team of 12 tame wild horses chomping at the bit.” There could be no doubt about their enthusiasm or

their talent but this alone was not sufficient to ensure the success of the venture, said Mr Kim.

“We hope to match the Arts Council’s generous grant with support from our community. The onus is now on us—and it would be dreadful to discover we have got a fizzer.” Mr Kim said there were several avenues of support available to members of the public to assist the venture. Interest shown by American actors was quite surprising, said Mr Kim.

“We did not expect so many American people wanting to come to New Zealand. “They told quite frightening stories of the pressures which beset actors in a large city like New York.

“Sometimes directors are not looking for an actor at all, but just a person. “Auditions are not unlike a cattle market Men walk along the stage and almost half might be rejected because their hair is not the right colour or they are not the right height “Few have the opportunity of reading the scene. This system, which ignores talent negates the very thing we are trying to do.”

Mr Kim said he saw some extraordinary talent. One actor told him in his own words, “I am God’s gift to acting.” A second had come to New York as a “bright young hopeful” seven years ago. On the strength of his prospects he had married and had two children. “He had not had a job in seven years. Unfortunately he couldn’t act but he did do a delightful impersonation of Marlon Brando.”

“All potential candidates, whether English or American,

knew the way in which we were trying to work would allow them opportunity for growth,” said Mr Kim. Spotting talent was not difficult, said Mr Kim, but in view of the nature of the company, he had to ensure the candidates were endowed with the more ephemeral quality of “compatibility.” In his evenings in London and in New York, Mr Kim spent most of his spare time in the theatre.

“I have returned convinced, given time, opportunity and money we can create a standard comparable to that in the West End. We will bring theatre to you. “Hitherto it has been the policy to send our best talent overseas to train with no obligation to return. We have been turning on the tap and draining our experience, now we can keep them here. “We hope to make the theatre something everyday in Christchurch. We hope you will pick up the daily paper and find out what is on that night If you know it is a good company you might be persuaded to go. “If you don’t do this you might pick up the paper and find that they have gone.”