Films and plays

Press, 29 March 1980, Page 14

Films and plays

Sir, — Looking at the entertainments page of “The Press” today. I find that 12 out of 18 films have age restrictions for reasons of violence, offensive language or material. There are also two stage productions which contain nudity. “Statements” purports to be a serious work in which total nudity is essential. I suggest that such realism is not in fact necessary but rather a box office draw. The second show “Further Confessions of a Window Cleaner,” openly proclaims itself to be licentious. If this proportion of depraved entertainment is a true expression of the wishes of the public of Christchurch then our city is sick indeed, but if, as I suspect, it shows only the wishes of a sick minority, I call on those who still strive to maintain a Christian standard of righteousness to raise voices of protest before it is too late. — Yours, etc.,

The Rev. D. R. CHRISTMAS. March 27, 1980.

Sir, — I read that Mrs Stanton was shocked by nudity in a play. With all the publicity these plays have received she could not have been ignorant of the content. It amazes me why she even bothered to go, and to sit in the front row. And then she buys a ticket to attend “The Further Confessions of a Window Cleaner.” Why? So she can let everyone know how shocked she is again? I ob-

M. WELLS, March 28, 1980.

jecf to having the likes of Mrs Stanton deciding what others are able to do, and if she chooses to attend such plays, then let her not tell the world how shocking it all is. — Yours, etc.

Sir, — Cr Newton Dodge seems to believe that he has an obligation to protect me from reading literature which may harm me. This attitude, shared by some vocal religious zealots either inside or outside this city’s theatres, is I am sure, not only unacceptable to me, but to many others. Self-appointed guardians of the public morals are neither new, nor original, but the media’s attention to their individual or collective views seems excessive. Why devote much of Page 1 of “The Press” to what Mrs Stanton thought of a play she had seen and more on what she might think of a play she has not seen, and ignore the views of the hundreds of other members of the public who have seen the two plays involved.- Nobody is forced to read material or attend plays — the reverse should also apply. JEREMY POLLARD. March 28, 1980.

Sir, — Last night my friend and I attended a compelling and extremely professional performance by the cast of three in “Statements.” We found it both moving and thought provoking. However, it was interesting to note that

K EYES. March 27, 1980. "

seated in a prime position in the front row was Mrs Renee Stanton, the Bible Lady. Did she attend to enable her to further understand the apartheid problem in South Africa or to voice an outcry against, and be disgusted by, the nudity of two of the actors, which incidentally, is totally in context with the play? Mrs Stanton should be enlightened enough to realise that nudity is not a sin, — Yours, etc.,