DRAMATIC SOCIETY'S CHRISTMAS PLAY

Taupo Times, Volume II, Issue 99, 11 December 1953, Page 2

DRAMATIC SOCIETY'S CHRISTMAS PLAY

TO BE PRODUCED BY MR ARNOLD GOODWIN The Taupo Dramatic Society are to be congratulated on obtaining the services of Mr Arnold Goodwin to produce John Deighton's "The Happiest Days of Your Life," which has been acclaimed the funniest comedy to appear on the London stage in twenty years. Taupo residents will remember Mr Goodwin's production of "Blithe Spirit," the Society's first presentation, during the Carriival last year. During ~the past five years Mr Goodwin has toured the country producing plays on behalf of the New Zealand Drama Council, formed six years ago to co-ordin-ate the activities and further the interests of the non-professional theatre societies.

Mr Goodwin, who was born in Lelcester, England, studied at art schools in England, Paris and New York, and later came to New Zealand, becoming a foundation member of the Auckland Little Theatre Society. In 1933 he was co-produc-er with Mr L. P. Leary of New Zealand's first full-length "talkie," "The Friendly Road." He was producer for many years for the W.E.A. and was responsible for the initial idea of having C.A.S. plays on tour throughout the country. Mr Goodwin has produced some thirty plays for the Drama Council. Since hls production of "Blithe Spirit" in Taupo a year ago he has produced J. M. Barrie's "Admirable Crichton" at Napier; J. B. Priestley's 'Time and the Conways' at Gore; Shakespeare's "Merchant of Venice" in Nelson; and Dan Sutherlands "The Fifty Mark" in Masterton. For the coming production of "The Happiest Days of Your Life" Mr Goodwin has been engaged directly by the Taupo Dramatic Society. The play will have a five-night season, at Rickit's Hall, where it will be staged on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, December 29th and 30th, and on the following Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights, January 4th, 5th and 6th. Preferential bookings for Society members open at the Taupo Book Club on Monday next, December 14th.