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New musical

• A new musical, “Philemon,” will have its first performance in New Zealand at the State Trinity Centre on Friday. Brian Deavoll is producing it for the Christchurch Gilbert and Sullivan and Light Opera Society. Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt, authors of the longest-running musical in ■theatrical history, “The Fantasticks,” wrote “Phile* jnon” for presentation in a Small theatre or church, so it is ideally suited to the atmosphere of the State Trinity Theatre. But because of the diverse lighting effects required, extra lighting has been added to the existing switchboard. ; The Christchurch pre-

sentation is described as a careful copy of the New York production, which gained high praise from both critics and audiences. The Jones-Schmidt combination is a familiar one to Brian Deavoll, who has twice produced “The Fantasticks.” The second production. staged at the Elmwood Playhouse, ran for an extended season. In “Philemon” John Jefferies plays the role of Cockian, the clown and reluctant convert to Christainity. Other members of the cast include Yvonne Martin. Lynda Spiers. Pam Coote, David Chambers, Michael Mills, and Stewart Oliver. The musical direct’ or is Julie Morris, and the choreographer Beryl McLeod.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19780615.2.88

Bibliographic details

Press, 15 June 1978, Page 11

Word Count
192

New musical Press, 15 June 1978, Page 11

New musical Press, 15 June 1978, Page 11