Elmwood, playwright win top prize again

Press, 1 September 1986, Page 9

Elmwood, playwright win top prize again

History repeated itself when Christchurch’s Elmwood Players won the Shell Community Festival of Drama at Wellington on Saturday. Their play, “Ritual For Dolls,” by George Mac Ewan Green, was judged best of the six finalists.

Ten years ago, Elmwood Players also won the festival, with a play called “One Season’s King,” also by George Mac Ewen Green. “Ritual For Dolls” has a cast of four dolls which act out the life story of their owners.

It is not the first production of the play that Elmwood has got as far as the finals. A previous version of “Ritual” also fin-

ished in the last six. This year’s production was directed by Andrew Davidge, participating in his first final. Cast members were Heather Giles, Douglas Shields, Steph Rowe, and Donald Bruce. Other members of the crew to travel to Wellington for the final were Ted Maginnes, stage manager; Bill Brown, his assistant; Kevin Dickinson, sound; and Richard Muller, make-up. The play also won the Selecon design award of a 500-watt spotlight. Mr Davidge put that award down to a completely revamped lighting programme for the finals presentation. “It was the first time I could really let go. The

other theatres had put some restrictions on lighting,” he said. Saturday had been a “great night. The cast simply rose to the occasion and gave a wonderful performance,” said Mr Davidge.

What pleased the Christchurch group most was winning in such good company. “People said it was the highest quality final for years.” The play has already had a short season in Christchurch along with Elmwood’s other festival plays.

Mr Davidge said there was a possibility of a season in a city restaurant. Elmwoood’s programme would probably not allow a return season at the Playhouse.