‘Peer Gynt' for Hay Theatre

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33079, 21 November 1972, Page 10

‘Peer Gynt' for Hay Theatre

Ibsen’s play “Peer Gynt” is to be produced in Christchurch next year by the University Drama Society, as the society’s contribution to the centennial celebrations of the University of Canterbury.

Mervyn Thompson—a codirector of the Court Theatre and a frequent producer for the university society—will produce the play, and Simon Tipping will be the musical director. The society

hopes also to have the Christchurch Civic Orchestra play Grieg’s incidental music. The society has engaged the James Hay Theatre for the play’s season (10 nights from April 28), and thus will venture outside the university precincts for a major Chrstchurch production for the first time since the Ngaio Marsh Theatre was opened in 1967. Mr Thompson and Mr Tipping think it will be necessary to make substantial cuts in the music because of the length and unsuitability of some of the pieces for such a production, and some scenes will be rewritten by Mr Thompson to make them “stageable.” Mr Thompson will then call for auditions in February, and will develop the play from workshoprehearsals. Tom Taylor will design the sets. “Peer Gynt” has been produced before by the University Drama Society, but not in the lifetime of the present members—it was 1927 when Professor James Shelley directed it. His production also marked a notable occasion for the university — the opening of the “Little Theatre,” later renamed the Shelley Theatre.