RUGBY SETTING FOR DRAMA

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33967, 7 October 1975, Page 4

RUGBY SETTING FOR DRAMA

A drama with al Rugby background, “On | the Day,” will bei screened by TVI on Sunday night. It is a winter Saturday in a small New Zealand farming community, and the big event of the day is the Rugby match that will decide the winner of the local sub-union championship. Forced to play without their regular half[back, the home team’s I chances rest to a large degree on their star player, Colin | Laing. Whichever side is better on ■the day there will be the [ inevitable aftermath — a few i beers and perhaps a few [more. In the social attitudes I of the community are the makings of a night of drama that may change, some of those attitudes. “On the Day,” a major drama production from Reynolds Television, and the first from an independent company since the new broadcasting structure came into being, was filmed on location in and around Auckland. ACTORS I Colin Laing is played by a |23-year-old Australian-born ! professional, —Gerard Bonk. I He arrived from Sydney in [ 1972 and has since worked with Mercury and Central theatre in Auckland and with the Gateway Players in Tauranga. This is his first television role. Kay Gaylor, who plays Sandra Legget, Colin Laing’s girlfriend, is experienced in television and stage work. Her professional career began with the New Zealand Players — touring with “Mine Hostess” and “A View From the Bridge.” She also played the female lead in the early N.Z.B.C. thriller serial, “Alpha Plan.” The part of Cam Deighton is played by Bill Ewens, an engineering student at Auckland Tech. Although this is i his first professional role he has worked with Grafton Theatre, North Shore Light Opera and the New Independent Theatre. English-born Richard Moss, playing Bruce, began his acting career touring Australia with roadshow companies. He has several credits with Crawfords and the Australian Broadcasting Commission. FROM “HAURAKI” Colin Broadley (Bob Mackie) is making his first appearance since a serious motor accident two years ago. As well as being an actor he has experience in journalism, production, announcing and compering. He was one of the original directors of [Radio Hauraki and his documentary, “China, A Personal View,” will be screened on ITVI. John Paekau. who plays the I captain of the local Rugby team, is also a professional stuntman. wrestler and former Rugby league player. He first appeared on television as Hemi Walker in the second series of “Pukemanu.” Wayne Tourell, the producerdirector, is one of New Zealand’s most experienced. He has directed more than 100 documentaries, dramas and educational films. Before joining Reynolds Television he was with the N.Z.B.C. in Dunedin. TWO WRITERS Reynolds commissioned the script for “On The Day” from I two writers who between ’them have been either responsible for, or involved in virtually all of the successful television drama proeduced in New Zealand. ' Michael Anthony Noonan came first to television as the lead in "Joker in the Pack” and his television writ-

ing career began with the first series of “Pukemanu.” He was subsequently involved with “Section Seven” and the second series of “Pukemanu.” Noonan wrote both New Zealand television’s major historical dramas, “Richard John Seddon — Premier” and “The Longest Winter,” the depression series which won him a Feltex Award. Keith Aberdein is a television reporter turned writer whose credits include scripts for “Pukemanu,” “Section Seven” and “Close To Home.”