TV2's DRAMA PLANS

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34045, 8 January 1976, Page 4

TV2's DRAMA PLANS

Television Two has a busy| year ahead of it in drama production, according to the; head of drama (John, McCrae). He listed these productions among South Pacific’s output for 1976: "THE IMMIGRANTS,” a new series to be shown early in the year, with seven plays based on the reactions] and fortunes of immigrants] in New Zealand. “The Span-! ish Lady” is written by Keni Catran, “Hello Sailor” by William Taylor, “Bwana” by] John Banas, “Selling the] Family” by Anthony Stones,’ “Over the Fence” by Brent] Leslie. "Cruise into! Confidence” by Graeme] Farmer and “Strictly Within l the Family” by David Some- ] the Family” by David SomI erset. Bill Cole has produced ! five of the plays and directed four, and Brian ] McDuffie produced the other | two. “THIRTY-MINUTE THEATRE”: A series of 16 plays. Three which have already been recorded are “Harry’s Cave” by Jan Pre-] ntice, “The Big Day” by; Valda Marshall, “Fading] Blooms” by Brent Leslie and; “The Deb Ball” by Jan Farr.; They will be shown later; this year. “TRIAL BY JURY”: A; modern and enlivened pro-] duction of this Gilbert and : ;

I Sullivan opera will be re- ] 1 corded for transmission later ] in the year. “GOLD”: This is a 13-part children’s serial devised by Roger Simpson and it will be one of the major productions of the year. Mr Simpson has written seven of the episodes and the re- ! maining six are by Ken Catran. The series is set in Central Otago during the gold ] rush of the 1860’s and concerns the adventures of a 13 ] year old boy searching for ; his lost father. DAME NGAIO MARSH: A (season of plays based on the j detective novels of Dame Ngaio Marsh is planned. Two of these are “Colour Scheme” and "Dyed in the Wool.” “THE MacKENZIE AFFAIR”: A dramatisation of James McNeish’s book “The MacKenzie Affair”, about the life of the sheep stealer will be filmed on location in spring and transmitted in six episodes. | “A CHRISTMAS CAROL”: Charles Dickens’ classic; ! novel will be dramatised for' .viewing at Christmas time. “A GOING CONCERN”: , This weekly serial will continue to be recorded (throughout the year and it; |will be shown twice a week! as before.