N.Z. actress in lead role

Press, 27 September 1982, Page 18

N.Z. actress in lead role

NZPA staff correspondent Sydney

Angela Ayers put five years of struggle and disappointment behind her when she opened with a lead part in a new musical comedy. "I Love My Wife," in Sydney last week. She came to Australia six years ago after a successful career as a singer and dancer on television in New Zealand, which included winning the 1975 television award for top female personality of the year.

At first all'went well when she scored a lead part in "A Chorus Line” back in 1977 but that was the end until recently of any real fame. Miss Ayers, originally from Palmerston North, worked the club circuits and spent her $lO,OOO life savings on breaking into the pop music scene with a* single, “Key to My Heart.” It was a failure.

“My life savings were down the drain and I had a broken engagement. 1980 was a year I’d rather forget about." she said.

Last year she realised thaty to get ahead she needed to be able to sing, dance, and act.

“I had nine months of voice classes last year and auditioned for parts in a ’ Newcastle production of<. 'West Side Story' and this." musical comedy. T Love My o Wife.' I got both." she said, it “They say in this business,-" you have got to have your • ups and downs. Although.the', broken engagement was: devastating it was probably one of the best things that", has happened to me." saidv Miss Ayers. '

"I've been kicked in the v teeth, been down. But nows. I'm going to show them I'm • not a two-bit wonder.

“It's been a struggle but I’m really pleased things are coming together.”

Miss Ayers, who in New’l Zealand in 1974-75 was the " co-host with Craig Scott of a - television show called "Sing." said many people in New Zealand had probably writ> ten her off. *■

“But I didn't want to fade, into oblivion.