James Norcliffe’s “kitch” (Press, 18 July 1973)

The play "Kitch," written by James Norcliffe and directed by William Lennox, was staged at Shirley Boys' High School from 17 to 20 July 1973. The production runs for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes each evening, starting at 8 p.m. Norcliffe, a contributor to the "New Zealand's Heritage" series, has brought to light the historical figure of Viscount Kitchener, who is associated with Christchurch. The play revolves around a school cadet corps preparing for an inspection by the field marshal, with comedic elements featuring a rehearsed "three cheers" routine and antics from dubious police officers who disrupt the teachers by stealing their trousers, prompting the boys to either hide or escape to Sumner. The central theme of "Kitch" appears to explore the absurdities of British National Service during the era of the hydrogen bomb, echoing ideas previously discussed by Jeff Nuttall in "Bomb Culture." The production benefits from its experienced director and the author’s grasp of farce; however, it suffers primarily due to the vocal delivery of the cast. The reviewer notes that the current education system has not equipped students with the comedic vocal skills reminiscent of earlier performances, leading to a lack of clarity in dialogue and rushed delivery of essential staging business. Despite its shortcomings, the opening night revealed some positive elements of the performance. Nicholas Dangerfield as Captain Withers set a strong tone, while Philip Burn elicited laughter with his portrayal of a suicide followed by a lengthy resurrection. Other actors, including Nicholas Hawes and Philip Cook, indicated potential for strong performances, and Philip Harding's depiction of the headmaster showed a comical lack of proficiency in pipe lighting. Craig Hibbert and Mark Doran, playing key roles as leading boys, demonstrated lively presence, joined by competent performances from Craig Dickson, Ross Keith, and Nigel Lawry. Petrina Months offered an intriguing portrayal of a sinister figure, while Peter Weekes impressed as a bogus constable, although more explicit identification in his character’s introduction would have enhanced clarity. There were issues with the delivery of verse segments in the script, but there remains potential for improvement. The reviewer expresses optimism that, as the season progresses, aspects of the play such as the duel with brandy-snaps and the paper-bagged staff meeting will reach their comedic apex, as long as the cast improves their vocal performance and audience engagement. Overall, "Kitch" holds promise for a successful run despite its initial challenges.

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