Lucas just too coot to be true

Press, 8 July 1976, Page 19

Lucas just too coot to be true

By

KEN GOFFES

On the face of it, there seems no reason why “Lucas Tanner’’ should not be gripping' viewing. But the introduction to the series from TV2 on Tuesday night did not live up to expectations. It was trite, stagey,, forced and often over-simplified. It was a pity really be-' cause the programme seems to have a lot going for it — an unconventional teacher willing to rock the boat, a man who makes his students think and who cares for them as people. But David Hartman, who plays Lucas Tanner, is just too much the exball player, unemotional and too unmoved by human crises. The death of the boy seemed to affect him little and at no stage did he get churned up at the turn of events. At appropriate moments, such as when Lucas was recalling the death of his wife and son, violin backing stretched out the touching moment. And were they cellos which provided the background to tiie long, long pause near the end when the group of students stepped forward to ensure their teacher had not been fired? There is plenty of scope for real drama in the situations that would arise as a result of the lively and often provocative approach of the unorthodox teacher. Hartman seems to enjoy his scenes in the classroom and With the youngsters and this turns out to be the most realistic part of the programme.

But would there really be a head as understanding and unflappable as Margaret Blumenthal who does not get rattled even when angry parents appear on the scene? Maybe the series will improve, but I have my doubts. One of the best programmes on Tuesday night turned out to be “Beryl's Lot.” Interestingly, it dealt with two deep issues — euthanasia by request, and the future quality of life on earth. Vi, usually the happy extrovert, was played particularly well by Barbara Mitchell, as she became progressively more worried and concerned about the future for her children. Beryl too was at her best in dealing with the old dowager who wanted to die. A major strength of this programme is the way in which the contrasting characters underline differences in attitudes. For example, you could not get a more insensitive person than Freda, Charlie’s wife, or Trev, Vi’s husband, for that matter. Farmers who were watching TVl’s "Tonight” programme no doubt gave three hearty cheers for Mr Stuart Grant, the outspoken farmer from Southland who could not have put the farmers’ wishes more succintly. Describing himself as a “simple peasant,” he said he wanted more in his hip pocket, so that he could keep “mum and the kids” in the style to which they are accustomed. Apart from this lively if

somewhat earthy comment, the panel discussion did not contribute a great deal more than we already knew. Mr Mclntyre, the practical farmer and astute politician, was giving little away. The programme did, however, re-emphasise the importance of the farming community and made the interesting point that farming and labour leaders are getting together to discuss the future.