Haye’s ‘Open House’

Press, 22 February 1977, Page 15

Haye’s ‘Open House’

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KEN COATES

Much of die success of the series. ‘'Open House.” produced by Han aft Hayes’s independent film company, Telenion Productions. depends on the ability of Hayes to relate both to the residents of the homes he examines and the viewer.

Naturally enough, the owners of some of the historic homes are easier to talk to. and make for better television. than others.

But Hanafi Hayes, with his perception and inquiring manner, always strives to represent the viewer and ask the kind of questions a visitor would like answered.

One of the best in the six-episode series featured •■Brancepeth,” the baronialstyle home near Masterton. Hayes chatted with Mr Hugh Beetham and his

wife, the present owners, and dropped in for dinner. “I suppose the soup was never actually served like this.” said Hanan offhandedly to Mrs Beetham as she manipulated the gleaming family silver. It was nicely put, but no, there definitely had not been a butler in this house in the centre of extensive sheep and cattle lands. Sunday’s subject was “Waiwera,” a colonial farmhouse at Little River. Again Hanafi Hayes presented the historic home using well-judged inclusion of historical photographs and facts about the previous owners. No attempt was made to eliminate the sound of the present owner’s children — thev contributed to rounding out the atmosphere in the house as it is today. The Hayes perception was also reflected in adroit shots of interesting fea-

tures of the house and its furniture — a carved head on a chair, a glass-panelled door leading to the back stairs and the servants’ quarters. Catering for tourists is an important role of the present owners, and this too was presented in an entertaining way with an emphasis on hot, buttered scones with cream on top, and the delightful story about the world’s heaviest tap dancer. “Open House” was commissioned by TVI and looks at some of the lasting results of New Zealanders vision and attitudes. It is a refreshing and worth-while contribution by a talented independent film-maker in a television area that is becoming increasingly dominated by overseas programmes.