Medical series set in Auckland

Press, 24 August 1976, Page 15

Medical series set in Auckland

A new locally-produced drama series with a medical theme is now in the making at TV2’s drama department in Auckland. The series is still under a working title, "Practice’’, and consists of seven onehour plays, ail based on a fictional group medical practice in Auckland’s Herne Bay. Each self-contained story shows the doctors dealing with the medical problems occurring in a racially and socio - economically mixed suburb and also the conflicts arising out of the professional and emotional relationships of the doctors themselves.

The series will not be screened until next year but recording will begin in September and the executive producer, Bill Cole, has now cast most of the lead roles. Donna Akersten, who played the odd-ball farm girl, Grace, in “A Going Concern” will be the only female partner in the practice. Ilona Rodgers, holder of the Feltex Award for Best N.Z. Actress, and who will also be shortly seen in “Hunter’s Gold”, is a receptionist. Waric Slyfield. a longtime stalwart of the Mercury Theatre, plays the senior partner in the practice. lan Watkin, recently seen on TVI in “Blerta”. “The Shiner” story of “Winners and Losers” and as the school teacher in “Epidemic”, plays a doctor, a role some viewers will remember him playing in the successful N.Z.B.C. series “Pukemanu”. Myra de Groot, another familiar face on New Zea-

land screens, plays the practice nurse and David McKenzie, a regular member of the Centrepoint Theatre Co. in Palmerston North plays a doctor The regular is completed by Robin Bowering. an English actor with numerous credits in repertory and West End Theatres and a number of television series. For the last few years he has pursued a successful career in Australian theatre and television and has just completed an extended season at Sydney’s brand new Theatre Royal.

'Practice” was created by John Banas and Bill Baer from an initial suggestion by South Pacific Television s Head of Drama. John Mcßae. Banas wrote "Bwana” in the "Immigrants" series, and Baer has had plays accepted be Radio New Zealand Other writers have also worked on the series and their themes and plots have been interw'oven in the seven plays. Members of the medical profession were consulted frequently to ensure that medical and social accuracy was combined with dramatic action. The series will be recorded at South Pacific Television's Auckland studios and at various locations in the city The directors will be Brian McDuffie and Peter Sharp.