N.Z. STAGE SHOWS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22339, 26 May 1947, Page 4

N.Z. STAGE SHOWS

FULL-TIME THEATRE EARLY ESTABLISHMENT LATEST LONDON PLAYS (P.A.) AUCKLAND May 24. A rap in the cultural life of the Dominion is shortly to be filled by the establishment o' a full-time professional New Zealand theatre with headquarters ir, Auckland and extensions planned in Wellington and Christchurch. This was announced by Mr. R. J. Kerridge, managing director of Ker-ridgc-Odeon Theatres.

Important Civic Amenity

Mr. Kerridge said the legitimate theatre had long been accepted as necessary in the social and artistic life of the world’s cities. He was pleased to be able to say that plans had been completed which would elevate first Auckland and later other centres to the

status of the world's major centres, where the stage was accepted as one of the most important of the civic and national amenities.

•During niv visit to England last, year.” said Mr. Kerridge, ”1 was most Impressed with the • impact of the theatre on England's national life. Its cultural influence was most marked. I had manv discussions with producers and West End artists which encouraged

me in the belief that the establishment of a New Zealand theatre was not only desirable but feasible.” Producer Already in N.Z. Arrangements had been made to present in Auckland in the near future

English stage successes of the present day ancl of former years, Mr. Kerridge continued. Plays would be performed by a stock company of eight to 10 London artists and directed by Mr. Ronald Fortt, a West End producer, who had already arrived in the Dominion. The rest of the company would fly from England when their present engagements ended and would arrive in August.

Production rights had been arranged for all London theatre successes of the past four or five years, and these would bo presented to maintain what was hoped would be a permanent institution in Auckland. Mr. Kerridge stated that local acting play-writing talqnt would be encouraged by the new company. It was intended” to supplement the casts with New Zealand players.

The first play would be presented in Auckland in September.