‘Black Comedy’ In Dunedin Next (Press, 9 December 1969)

The Southern Theatre Trust's Playhouse in Dunedin is set to present a Christmas-New Year offering featuring two one-act plays. The first play is “Black Comedy,” written by English playwright Peter Shaffer, known for its humorous take on serious themes. The plot revolves around several characters, including an aspiring sculptor named Brindsley, played by former Christchurch actor Bryan Aitken. Brindsley is a bumbling young artist who hopes to achieve wealth and win the heart of his debutante girlfriend, portrayed by Heather Eggleton, another established Christchurch actress. Aitken has recently returned from performing in Great Britain, while Eggleton's experience includes being the first actress with a permanent contract at Downstage Theatre in Wellington. The second part of the double bill is “The Resounding Tinkle,” which is a one-act comedy that also received commendation and was later expanded into a full-length play. This comedic piece features three characters, including Mr and Mrs Parradoc and Uncle Ted, who intriguingly transforms into a beautiful young girl after undergoing a sex change. This character's arrival at the Parradoc's entails a rushed journey, leaving little time for anything other than a brief reading session before embarking on a lengthy train journey home. The cast for this play includes local talents Shirley Kelly and Burt Nisbet, along with Dalvern Thom from Australia. The theatre season opens on 17 December 1969 and will continue until 31 December, excluding performances on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

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