Telethon draws three British comedians

Press, 27 May 1981, Page 19

Telethon draws three British comedians

Bob Grant, an actor already familiar to New Zealand television audiences for his role in the British television comedy series. ‘ On The Buses." will be a guest panel member in Christchurch during next months Telethon. In the last five months, he has been the star of a highly successful English provincial tour of "Oh! Calcutta!Bl" and he will again take the lead role in the production when it tours New Zealand at the end of Telethon. He played the part of Jack, the conductor, in ‘‘On The Buses.”

Two other British comedians — Jimmy Jewel and Basil Brush — will also be guests of Telethon 81. but it is not yet known which centres they will be sent to. Jimmy Jewel, who is 69. has been a successful comic in Britain on stage and screen for most of his life. His latest television series. “Funny Man," has recently been bought by Television New Zealand. Basil Brush, the fox with

bushy tail who was a star of children's television from the 1960 s until recently, will be accompanied by his creator. Mr Ivan Owen. No frontmen have yet been announced for Christchurch, but they will be chosen from a list of about 15 presenters . and panelists, which includes David McPhail. Rodney Bryant, Ken Ellis. Job Gadsby. Janis McArdle, and Ollie Olsen. According to the Telethon ' organiser, Mr Craig Hutcheson, the organisation has been different this year because it is the first time (hat the Christchurch Telethon

will be held in the Town - Hall. "In the past, we have used the Civic Theatre, and have been pretty cramped for space," he said. "But this year, we will be doing it all in the Town Hall. The stage • and the area immediately in front of it will be taken up with telephones for pledges, and the rest of the floor will be free for action.” All the seats will be taken out of the floor of the auditorim, leaving only a few of the surrounding seats for fund-raisers to use while waiting their turn to make their donation.

On the left, looking at the stage, will be a raised platform. set aside for entertainers. and on the right, another platform will be set up to house the panel and guests. Cameras, impromptu acts, and big entertainment groups, such as the New Zealand Army Band, will be able to use the floor space between.

At the back of the empty floor space in the auditorium, two rows of seats have been removed and an area has been set aside for wheelchairs. Behind this is a special space for other disabled persons and fund-raisers. Ramps will be built, with handrails, to ease access to the floor.

Upstairs the auditorium has been allocated for the public. Because there is much more room for a live audience this year, the organisers hope to eliminate the queues of people waiting to get inside which were a trademark of past Telethons at the Civic Theatre.