Play Justified Says Producer (Press, 4 September 1985)

Doug Clarke, the producer of the Riccarton Players' entry in the New Zealand Theatre Federation one-act play festival, stands by his choice of Howard Brenton's "Christie In Love," which has sparked controversy. The Riccarton Players secured a spot in the festival finals, set to be held in Whangarei on September 13 and 14, 1985, making them the only South Island finalist among six entries. However, their performance at the divisional finals in Nelson was met with significant backlash, with approximately 30 out of 100 audience members walking out during the show. Clarke acknowledged pre-existing criticism during the Christchurch finals, but he defends the play's merit by noting its basis in real events, specifically focusing on the true story of John Reginald Halliday Christie, a convicted murderer who was executed in 1953. Clarke, a recognized admirer of Brenton's work, has previously brought two of his plays to festival finals in the past five years. He admitted that "Christie In Love" is considerably more provocative than his earlier selections. His decision to select the play stemmed from a lack of interest in a potential New Zealand script, leading him to pursue a work that diverges from conventional storytelling. With a small cast of three actors—Martin Phelan as Christie, Richard Anderton as the Constable, and Mark Hyde as the Inspector—the play also features a handmade dummy in lieu of a more expensive doll mentioned in the script. This choice has incited criticism, particularly from a feminist who accused Clarke of degrading women's representation. Despite the provocative language in the play, Clarke decided to remain true to Brenton’s writing, informing festival organisers in advance of its potentially offensive content. He expressed indifference to the uproar during the Nelson performance, noting that local audiences tend to resist performances from outside groups, while performances like "Canterbury Tales," which might draw similar scrutiny, received no backlash. To help fund their travel for the festival finals, the Riccarton Players initiated a two-night season of "Christie In Love." Clarke remains uncertain about the audience's reaction in Whangarei but hopes for the best. He believes that Brenton's work is gaining recognition as important British theatre, although "Christie In Love" has not yet been produced by prestigious companies, such as the Royal Shakespeare Company. As the group prepares for the festival, Clarke hopes to achieve positive results while acknowledging the likelihood of continued controversy surrounding the play.

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