One-act Play Finals (Press, 29 August 1983)

The 1983 Shell Festival of Community Plays, organised by the New Zealand Theatre Federation, took place at the Ngaio Marsh Theatre on 27 August. The national finals concluded with the Globe Theatre's production "Out of the Flying Pan" being named the winning play. From over 100 community one-act plays performed across the country, seven finalists were selected, and Mrs Margaret Sadler Watson served as the judge for the event. This year's festival also coincided with the Theatre Federation's annual conference, commemorating its fiftieth anniversary and marking the beginning of significant sponsorship from Shell New Zealand. At the event, Mr Gregory Aim, the director of public affairs at Shell, announced scholarships for Summer School Drama and presented awards, including a New Producer Award to Stephanie Smith from Greymouth and a $500 New Zealand Author Award to Clare Corridan of Kaikohe. Three scholarships to Summer School Drama were awarded to Marlborough's Tamara Henry and Tom Vavasour, along with Victoria Rutherford from Hawke's Bay. The finals featured four performances. "Find Me," by Olwyn Wymark, directed by Julie Hopkirk for the Marlborough Repertory Society, depicted the struggles of a disturbed child affecting her family deeply. The poignant story emphasised the difficulties in securing institutional care and showcased the familial guilt surrounding the child’s eventual commitment to a mental institution. Next was "Funeral Games," a black comedy by Joe Orton, directed by Les Maiden for the Manawatu Theatre Society. This unconventional play delved into themes of wife-murder through humour, particularly focusing on a parsimonious bishop attempting to gain public favour. The performance was marked by Mike Smith's lively portrayal of an anarchistic character and John Payne’s authoritative presence as the bishop, showcasing Orton's signature wit. A highlight of the evening was "The First Time," crafted by Welby Ings for One Off Players in Auckland. This piece offered a sensitive exploration of a homosexual one-night stand, presenting two contrasting perspectives. The work employed flashback sequences blended with dance to evoke emotion, further enhanced by the superb performance and lighting. The final performance was a musical titled "Sometime Sunday," written and directed by Charles Harter for Shoestring Theatre, Wellington. This song cycle, featuring a mix of moods and styles such as blues, jazz, and rock opera, demonstrated professional choreography and exceptional vocal performances, pleasing the audience significantly. Overall, the festival showcased performances that blurred the lines between amateur and professional theatre, delivering an evening of exemplary entertainment that resonated with the audience.

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