Fraud squad looks at activities of ‘Chris’

Press, 6 September 1980, Page 6

Fraud squad looks at activities of ‘Chris’

Members of a group which has been set up to perform a rock opera are worried that a man, known only as “Chris,” may have solicited' funds in Christchurch in the name of the group. , .

'“Chris,” a Greek man, was the motivating force behind the rock opera. About 30 people auditioned for the rock opera in response to an advertisement in June. Most of the group paid a $5 subscription to “Chris,” thinking the money would go into the group’s bank account. However, only S 5 went into the account, which was with' the Canterbury Savings Bank., Cheques amounting to much more have been written on the account.

The general manager of the t Canterbury Sayings Bank (Mr F. Dickson) said yesterday that the bank had not lost any money because it had not paid out on any of the cheques. The bank had put the matter in the hands of the police, although a formal complaint had not been laid.

A member of the group (Mr R. Granger) said he had suspicions from the start: He started investigating, and by a “fluke” found that' dances had been run without: the bands and the owners ofi the venues being paid, and money had Been raised in the name of the opera group, which the group did not see. .' •- I

1 Mr Granger said that they | to'see “Chris” about the matter two weeks ago;; they were told that he had moved overseas.. ’. ... However, a member of the group said she ; ■ had seen “Chris” in Christchurch last Monday. Mr Granger said the girl was in a shop and hid when she saw “Chris” enter. She said he approached the manager of-the shop and gave a .letter asking for donation's in the name of the group. “We have changed the] name of the group to the Phoenix Theatre Group to avoid this,” said Mr Granger.

The group’s first name was “The Originals.” Mr Granger said that the group had not. laid a complaint with the police, although they had discussed the matter with the police fraud squad. He said that members of the group did not feel they had lost enough themselves to lay a complaint. But yesterday the Fraud Squad confirmed that two complaints had been laid against “Chris.” One was from Graveston’s in Sydenham, from whom. “Chris” bought a piano with a cheque that “bounced.” The ■piano had since been repossessed.

The retail manager -of the Public Service investment Society. (Mr R. McKinney) said that the society .also had laid a complaint against “Chris.” He was alleged to

| have paid for sound equip:ment valued between $l2O land $2OO with a cheque that “bounced.” . Mr McKinney said that the equipment? had been bought for the rock opera group, but the cheque had been -signed by “Chris” so the complaint had been laid against him. . ty .Mr Granger / said last evening that the group did nog have any sound equipment, and had not received any from “Chris.” i In spite of the “teething” problems, the group was still keen to continue with the rock opera, said Mr Mark Di Somma, who has written the music!

“The people vyho auditioned are happy to carry on with it. This has realty united the group. and made it more determined than ever to carry on,” he said. Mr Di Somma said he was putting a new .text together for the opera. But the group also- needed to find a producer, a choreographer, and some support. He said the group planned to approach the Queen Elizabeth II Arts Council for financial support when they had completed the script and compiled a tape.

“I feel that we have to have something to show them first,” he said.

Mr Di Somma, who has written- music for . several other shows, said he did not think that the music for the opera was “brilliant.” He had approached four other

musicians for their opinions and they had been pleased: with it. He hoped that the rock opera could be performed at Christmas, but further delays could hold the production until January or February. The original idea .was to stage the production in the James Hay .Theatre or the Theatre Royal, but Mr Di: Somma said that would: depend on the funds available.

The opera, on which he had been working for three months, was about the life of Jesus Christ. ’

“It is about the idea thaft Israel was in need of a Saviour and that Christ was the right man in the right place at the right time. He was got rid of because He was 1 dangerous,” he said. “Our intention is not to preach I but to tell a story.” ." '. : I The production would have a cast of about 40 and a five-piece rock g r oup, withj horn and - percussion sec-1 tions. It would not use an orchestra.

After the break- caused by the upset of the disappearance of their director, rehearsals would soon start again. These would be held in the Elmwood Playhouse in Fulton Avenue.

“We have got a lot of enthusiastic people, but our work has just begun. We will need a lot of public support,” said Mr Di Somma.