Bruce Mason in festival

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34085, 24 February 1976, Page 10

Bruce Mason in festival

Bruce Mason, one of I New Zealand’s best! known dramatists, will present a new work at the Christchurch Arts. Festival next month.

i Called “Not Christmas, but; | Guy Fawkes”, the work was [commissioned by the Queen [Elizabeth II Arts Council for | the Polynesian Arts Festival, (which will open in Rotorua ion March 6. ! “Not Christmas, but Guy i Fawkes’’ will be presented jto Christchurch audiences on 'Sunday evening, March 14, lin the Repertory Theatre. : Mr Mason will also give two special performances of ■his best-known work, “The ■End of the Golden Weather”, I during the second week of | the Festival, and will give : further performances of “Not 'Christmas, but Guy Fawkes”. Bruce Mason gave the first performance of “The End of i the Golden Weather” at the lEdinburgh Festival many ■ years ago, and he is now; ' approaching his one thouj sandth performance. Another of his works,. ! “Awatea”. under Mervj'n .Thompson’s guiding hand, (delighted full houses at the ' Repertory Theatre at the Commonwealth Games FestiIval two years ago; and his play. “The Pohutukawa Tree”, has been performed by drama companies up and down the country.

A number of Bruce Mason’s works are about Maoris and Maori life, and relationships between Maoris and pakehas.

The producer of this year’s. Polynesian Festival, Dick! Johnstone, has a rapport with | the music and drama and! dance of the Maori, so it is! not surprising to see him: teaming up with Mr Mason; to produce a new one-man [theatre piece. Dick Johnstone has a; ■ strong association with the | Christchurch festival — he I ' produced “The Marriage of; (Figaro” at last year’s festival, 'and “Canterbury Tales” for; 'the Court Theatre the year! | before.