ADVICE TO YOUNG PLAYERS

New Zealand Listener, Volume 36, Issue 913, 8 February 1957, Page 13

ADVICE TO YOUNG PLAYERS

REDMOND PHILLIPS, who returned to New Zealand last year to take leading roles in the last three productions of the New Zealand Players, saw many of the New Zealand amateur dramatic groups while he was on tour here with the company. He has a great respect for these Little Theatre members and their enthusiasm for producing good plays, and before he sailed again for England he recorded three talks designed to help these enthusiasts. These are being broadcast in the Women’s Hour from Commercial stations and have already been heard from 2ZB and 3ZB. This week they are scheduled to start from 4ZB and 2ZA, and they will be heard from 4ZA, 1XH later in the month, and from 1ZB in March. Mr. Phillips deals with ways of increasing membership and discusses some plays which a small group could well perform, with a special plea for Shakespearian comedies, as well as some warnings of plays to avoid. On the production side, he has much valuable advice. He stresses the importance of having things well organised, from the time when everyone concerned with the play assembles at the first reading. The producer should know exactly what he wants, and the actors be enthusiastic and confident. Mr, Phillips would like to see as many young helpers as possible to attend to the de-

tails which often place such a strain on the producer. He places emphasis on the prompt book keeper, and on the stage-manager, who should manage all business, attendance and order, leaving the producer free to produce the play.

"Cornelia" from NZBS | N Monday, February 11, the YAs will broadcast an NZBS production of Cornelia, a play by Gordon Daviot. Bernard Kearns, the producer, also plays Lucas Bilke, the middle-aged bachelor who becomes Cornelia’s guardian, and Dorothy Smith is the girl from Labrador who devastates his household. Cornelia’s delight in the luxuries of civilisation is balanced by her practical view of its absurdities, and as the’men in the play capitulate to her, she treats them with an unfailing good humour and sense. The young Lord playing at Socialism is made aware of his real interests, and the butler is shown a new way of life. Cornelia knows what she wants, and in’ getting it provides listeners with a gay comedy that nevertheless has some tart commegts to make.