New N.Z. drama

Press, 19 May 1984, Page 15

New N.Z. drama

PA Auckland Alma Woods, Bruce Allpress and Ken Blackburn are among the 10 actors and actresses named to play leading parts in TVNZ’s new law drama, “Hanlon.” The name of the foreign actor to play the lead role of Hanlon, a Dunedin barrister and King’s Counsel, would be announced next week, said the producer, Mr Lex van Os. Mr van Os said the historical drama would trace Hanlon’s life from 1895 to 1914 and dramatise seven of the defence lawyer’s cases, including the trial of the

Winton “baby farmer," Minnie Dean, and the extortion case involving the ship Ariadne. The 10 were picked from 500 actors and actresses who auditioned this year for the big-budget, seven-part series on the career of the notable southern counsel. The supporting cast will be: Alma Woods, a veteran Auckland-based actress (as Hanlon’s mother-in-law, Mrs Hudson); Jim McFarlane, of Wellington (Mr Hudson): Sylvia Rands, of Theatre Corporate (Hanlon’s wife, Polly); Liddy Holloway, of Auckland (Hanlon's sister-in-law); Judie Douglass, of

Wellington (Hanlon's mother); Bruce Allpress (of "Jocko." “Hunter’s Gold," “Close to Home”) (Mr Justice Williams). Ken Blackburn. Mercury Theatre actor (Crown prosecutor. Mr Fraser): Michael McGrath (Hanlon's law clerk, Claude White), and Phil Holder (Hanlon's best friend. Joe Hanan). The series, set on locations in Auckland and the South Island, will begin shooting on July 30. It should be screened in New Zealand in the winter of 1985 and would also be sold aboard. Mr van Os said.