Comic Clash Of Manners (Press, 29 March 1988)

On 29 March 1988, A.K. Grant commented on the British television show "What Mad Pursuit," a comedy scripted by Stanley Price based on a short story by Noel Coward. The programme aired on One and, while not a significant piece of work, it provided a light and enjoyable exploration of manners—an area that New Zealand television drama often neglects. Grant noted that the cultural cringe surrounding British productions should be relegated to the past, and he extended an appreciation for the quality of comedic storytelling found in this particular piece, which contrasts sharply with the usual offerings in New Zealand. The play depicted a clash of manners between British characters and those from a specific region of the USA during the mid-1930s. Grant highlighted that the comedy of manners is less feasible in New Zealand due to its smaller population and nascent class structure compared to Britain, which has a rich history of class-based humour. The narrative was reportedly inspired by a challenging weekend Coward faced, and actor Paul Daneman's portrayal was noted for its understated excellence, loyal to Coward's style. Grant also praised Carroll Baker for her unexpectedly adept comic performance and mentioned the presence of a talented Ethel Merman impersonator who provided amusement through her intentionally poor singing. Although the ending of the play felt somewhat contrived—where the Coward-like character escapes through a window—the overall sentiment conveyed by Grant was that the joy of such light-hearted theatre should not be over-analysed. He expressed sadness that if a similar comedy had been produced in New Zealand, it would likely face criticism for not tackling deeper societal issues like incest or unemployment, which are often favoured in local narratives. Grant articulated that works like "What Mad Pursuit," which offer a combination of humour and social observation, deserve recognition and a place in television drama, rather than being sidelined for more didactic narratives. The piece ultimately served as a reminder of the importance of varied comedic storytelling within the broader landscape of television drama.

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