Sir Laurence Olivier In New Zealand

Chronicle (Levin), 7 September 1948, Page 6

Sir Laurence Olivier In New Zealand

-Press Association)

(Per

AUCKLAND, Sept. 6. In one of the happiest and most eompletely informal press conferenees held in Auckland for ;,many years, Sir Laurence and Lady Olivier, who arrived from Australia by air this morning, were host and hostess to *the Auckland press tonight. Questipns ranging from the obj.ee ts of the British Council to the best method of. growing flowers in ,the open were asked and answered and in an hour between the Mayoral reception and a visit to the theatre, Sir Laurence and his beautiful wife, world famous Vivien Leigh, spoke readily on a score of topies inside and outside the theatre. Some idea of the strain of their tour was given brit quiekly klismissed by Sir Laurence when he said that in New Zealand, although elaborate plans had been made for visits to Rotorua and other places of interest, they would see little but the insides of hotels and theatres. Their programme called for nine performances a week leaving no time for holiday making. They would rehearse on the Corinthic going home and then, after only three weeks, would open in London. In Australia they had tried to do more but the strain had been too much. "I became ill and had to miss some performances, and so ' did Viv, " Sir Laurence said, brandishing his eigaretle in the general direetion of Lady Olivier. The pre-war habit of people who choose to do so, dressing for the theatre, is one of whieh Sir Laurence heartily approves. It has started coming back in Britain. The beginning was when Covent Cfarden reopened and it looked very royal and fine with people dressed, a magnificent curtain and all the little red lamps in the boxes, and it made the people feel festiv.e and happy which is what the theatre should do. "I think it a mistake to talk about elass distinction. The position should be that those who want to dress can do so without being or feeling awkward and those who do not should be able to follow their inelinatioh also without feeling awkward. Half and half is a nice mixture, ' ' he said.