Backstreet theatre in Chch

Press, 18 September 1976, Page 8

Backstreet theatre in Chch

A newly-formed Women’s Theatre Group is currently touring New Zealand presenting a pro-choice view on the abortion issue. The Backstreet Theatre group consists of ten women from Wellington and Auckland who have given up their jobs and all other commitments for at least 3 months. They will perform in Christchurch this evening at the Students’ Association Building, Ham. “Women throughout New Zealand have for many years been pushing for a ‘women’s - right - to - choose' stand on abortion, but with the repeated threats from Government to further restrict the availability of abortion, the demands have to be made louder and stronger.”- This is the view of the members of the Theatre Group. The group was formed as a result of the National Radical Feminist Caucus last June. “It was decided that stronger political action was needed to “counter the antiabortion feeling permeating from the National Government”, a spokeswoman for the group said.

The women in the group see what they are doing as a political statement rather than entertainment, and hope to stimul-te their audience into a discussion after the performance. Material for all the scenes in the production has been taken from actual experiences related to the group. The group believes they have developed a new style of women’s theatre, in which all directing, song and script writing, and decision-making has been done on a collective basis. Many of the women in the group have had very little previous drama experience, yet all take an equally active role within the group.

There is free admission to all performances. Expenses have been kept to a minimum, and it is hoped that donations will cover all necessary expenses.