Drama serial being produced by N.Z.B.C.

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32474, 8 December 1970, Page 4

Drama serial being produced by N.Z.B.C.

The N.Z.B.C.’s first drama series, “Pukemanu,” capitalises on the talents of New Zealand and Australian actors with overseas experience wherever possible. An outstanding example is Noel Trevarthen, whose impressive record includes leads in numerous London television productions, including "Armchair Theatre,”

“Danger Man,” and many others seen in this country, as well as continuing roles in such. television series as “Emergency Ward Ten,” “The Planemakers,” and Rediffusion’s top - rating “Riviera Police” series. Noel Trevarthen is a fourth-generation New Zealander who studied architecture in California and Europe, and farmed for some time in Ireland before becoming an actor. He spent four years in repertory theatre throughout England Harrogate, Torquay, Bournemouth, The Flora Robson Playhouse, Richmond Theatre, London, and Theatre Royal, Windsor. He also played in the original West End productions of "Watch it Sailor” and “Midsummer Mink.” His dozen or so films include the Beatles’ "A Hard Day’s Night,” “Sink the Bismarck,” and starring roles in two Italian films. Noel Trevarthen’s availability for New Zealand’s “Pukemanu” goes back to an Australian holiday two years ago when he stayed on to make the television series “Motel,” then appeared in "Riptide” and “Contrabandits*’ (produced by fellow Aucklander, Eric Tayler, a former 8.8. C. drama producer), before returning to London. This visit led to his return to Sydney last year to star •in 39 episodes of the Australian colour adventure series, “The Rovers,” which is under consideration by the N.Z.B.C. Noel Trevarthen then plunged straight into “The Secretary Bird” with Patrick McNee after

finishing "The Rovers" and the eight-month tour of Australia and New Zealand with that play give him the opportunity to see his family in Auckland and to stay on to appear as David Gold in “Pukemanu." He has now returned to Australia for another episode of “Dynasty,” a new Australian television series. Another New Zealander who has done some television work in Australia and who appears in “Pukemanu" is Christine Bartlett—again of Auckland. She is known to northerners for the work

at the Mercury Theatre in “Dames at Sea.” Tony Barry | is a third visiting actor who has been caught on the wing, as it were, for “Pukemanu”— he is a versatile Australian actor who has been visiting New Zealand briefly. Meantime, work progresses on "Pukemanu” at what to the outsider probably seems an agonisingly slow pace but is, in reality, about an episode a month, which is as “normal” as anything in television- ever is. Half of some episodes are being shot out of doors, which alone involves many delay* because of changes in the light. Nevertheless, production and editing of one episode is complete and by Christmas another 50-minute episode will be “in the can.” It is hoped to screen the series in July of next year. Douglas Drury is producing this first essay by the N.Z.B.C. into a drama series, and uses four different directors —David Stevens, Murray Reece, Donald Hope Evans, and Tony Isaac.