S.P.T. plans local satire show

Press, 25 May 1977, Page 19

S.P.T. plans local satire show

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KEN COATES

South Pacific Television in Christchurch is well advanced with ambitious plans to fill a major gap in New Zealand TV by producing a weekly humorous and satirical show, which will begin a sevenweek run on Monday, July 4. Reformers who have proved they can produce laughs have been engaged, and they will be backed by a team of scriptwriters with expertise in the field of humour and satire. The producer, David McPhail, who will also be a prominent performer on the show. “A Week of It,” describes it as a humorous, satirical look at the week. “And as it will be seen on Mondays, at 10.10 p.m., after ‘Late Edition,’ we will deal mainly with events of the past week, but will have the flexibility to look into the week ahead as well,” he said. Persuading South Pacific Television executives that a satire show is worth seriously backing has not been easy, one reason for this being that its production is centred on Christchurch and major decisions are made in Auckland. Much will depend on the material which comes forward each week from the team of writers. They are Alan Grant, who is one of the reviewers for “The Press" and whose satirical work has been widely enjoyed: Chris McVeigh, lawyer and actor; Endel Lust, actor; Bruce Ansley, a “Christchurch Star” columnist; and Peter Hawes, a researcher for South Pacific Television. Contributions will also come from Roger Hall, who wrote the comedy now at the Court Theatre, “Glide Time,” Tom Scott, of the “Listener,” John Gadsby, of Dunedin, and others who wrote for the

show, “Something to Look Forward To.” The 30-minute topical revue will be recorded on Monday nights before an audience in the Civic Theatre. David McPhail and Ken Ellis, of 3ZB, will introduce the show and as McPhail will appear in various skits throughout the programme, Ellis will become the anchorman. “A Week Of It” will be directed by Tony Holden. The cast will include Chris McVeigh; Stuart Devenie. of Wellington, who has appeared on the Edwards Show, and has worked as a TV director and for “Downstage” John Gadsby, who is working as a copywriter in radio in Dunedin, but who has had television acting experience; Peter Rowley, at present stage manager for the Court Theatre; and a singer, Annie Whittle, who will both sing and act. Malcolm McNeill, who was a regular singer on the Edwards Show, will be a regular performer, and will sing songs written for the show. Much will depend on the ground work for the show. Its week will begin on Thursday, when there will be a script meeting to look at events of the week, what is happening at the time, and what can be lampooned. The writers will begin work on Friday, working to a deadline of Saturday night for material for major sketches. This will have to be ready on Sunday, so that rehearsals can begin on Sunday afternoon. The show will be recorded at 8 p.m. on Monday nights, and this will give time for some late events to be referred to by McPhail and Ellis. A trial run will be made in the Civic Theatre on June 13, and all associated with the show will work under conditions imposed by production. _____ i