Civic Theatre is geared for big productions

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33883, 1 July 1975, Page 24

Civic Theatre is geared for big productions

Christchurch’s Civic Theatre has been turned into a fullyequipped television studio which TV2 plans to have in constant use.

Reflecting the team spirit and enthusiasm of TV2 staff was the way in which many • people pitched in with paintI ing and renovation work. ' Although the theatre has , has been spent so far, and more spending is planned. The first major production using the Civic is “OpporI seating for 530, there will not be more than 400 in a I studio audience at any one time. No audience will be upstairs.

Key to production is a specially constructed concrete stage which juts out into the body of the theatre and which provides 2000 square feet of space. Fice scaffolds of lights — three upstairs and two

downstairs — have been provided. More than $30,000 tunity Knocks” in 21 episodes. This talent quest screening at peak viewing time is being produced before a live audience. Performers on the series will be sponsored by a relative or friend who will be interviewed by programme host Rhys Jones on why his

or her nomination should appear on television. Christchurch producer Peter Sharp says that to date, the sponsorship has been very encouraging. “The more people to come forward with talent they have heard at a party or a pub which they feel deserves the wider audience of television the better we like it,” he said.

People interested in sponsoring talent on the programme should write to Opportunity Knocks, P.O. Box 2606, Christchurch.

Auditions for the series have been held over past weeks and among the first night hopefuls is a blind organist.