Another First Tor Court Theatre (Press, 8 September 1980)
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Summary: Another First Tor Court Theatre (Press, 8 September 1980)
The Court Theatre's upcoming national tour of "Blood of the Lamb" by Bruce Mason marks a significant milestone as it is the first time a New Zealand theatre company has undertaken a national tour. The production will be staged at the Court's Studio Theatre in Christchurch from September 15 to 27, 1980, before moving on to various venues including the Fortune Theatre in Dunedin, Circa Theatre in Wellington, Theatre Corporate in Auckland, and Centrepoint Theatre in Palmerston North. "Blood of the Lamb" premiered in the Studio Theatre on March 22, 1980, and the play was specifically commissioned to celebrate the opening of the new 70-seat studio, dubbed the “chocolate box,” which was intended for experimental and minority taste productions. This expansion made the Court Theatre the first New Zealand theatre to feature a second auditorium. Director Elric Hooper imposed some restrictions when commissioning the play: it had to involve three actresses as the theatre's male actors were engaged in the main production, and it could not be set in a room. Mason described being flattered but challenged by these conditions, stating that initial creative attempts were hindered by mental block. Ultimately, inspiration came from a real-life incident involving his wife’s medical practice, which led to the delivery of a child to a lesbian couple, providing the core idea for the play. Mason regards "Blood of the Lamb" as one of his best works and has characterised it as a “divertissement for three ladies in the style of W. A. Mozart.” The cast for the national tour will retain the original performers, featuring Elizabeth Moody, Judie Douglass, and Susan Curnow, and under the direction of Elric Hooper. This national tour not only showcases the play but also signifies the Court Theatre's commitment to expanding theatrical horizons in New Zealand.
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