Court Actor Goes Solo (Press, 10 March 1981)

Bryan Aitken, an actor and associate director at The Court Theatre in Christchurch, has taken a significant step in his career by transitioning to freelance acting and directing after four years with the theatre company. Aitken, known for his memorable role as a transvestite in "Damnee Manon, Sacree Sandra", is now looking for diverse opportunities in the performing arts, including directing and performing in various productions. In early 1981, he left his position to pursue freelancing, a bold move considering the limited television and advertising work available in Christchurch and his responsibilities as a family man. To support himself during this transitional period, he has secured a retaining grant from the Southern Regional Arts Council, which will help fund his work with local amateur theatre groups. This year, Aitken has already landed a role as an aggressive photographer in the film "Bad Blood" and is set to star in the Christchurch Operatic Society’s production of "Half a Sixpence." He expressed his eagerness for this role despite not having sung or danced in a decade, stating he began running in November 1980 to prepare for the demands of the performance. Aitken's career in theatre began in the 1960s with amateur societies in Christchurch. After spending 18 months in Britain, he returned to New Zealand, joining the Southern Theatre Trust in Dunedin and later working in the Broadcasting Corporation's radiodrama department as an actor, script reader, and director. In 1974, he returned to Christchurch to help establish The Court Theatre, where he became the associate director in 1976, taking on various administrative responsibilities and contributing to the theatre’s development. During his tenure, he witnessed The Court Theatre grow from a small company with five full-time actors to one employing 30 people with an annual turnover approaching $500,000. He credited this growth to the rising standards and opportunities within New Zealand theatre. The decision for him to leave his associate director position stemmed from a restructuring by The Court Theatre Trust Board aimed at infusing new ideas and talents into the organisation. Aitken hopes to eventually return to The Court Theatre after a year of freelancing, with the possibility of gaining further experience at different theatre companies in the interim. His journey reflects the evolving landscape of theatre in New Zealand and the personal ambitions of artists seeking to carve their own paths in the performing arts.

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