Strong Parts And Opinions For Rapid-fire Moody (Press, 21 October 1989)

In a profile by Francesca Price, Elizabeth Moody, a prominent figure in Christchurch's performing arts scene, is depicted as a dynamic and busy artist at the age of 51. Securing an interview with her proves challenging due to her packed schedule involving appointments, rehearsals, and recordings. Moody, who is known affectionately as Lizzy or Liz, is renowned for her energy and enthusiasm, demonstrating a fast-paced communication style that often leads to incomplete sentences. Moody's career in theatre commenced in her childhood, with her mother's influence evident as a founder of the Court Theatre in Christchurch. She began acting professionally as a teenager but faced difficulties during her early years with the touring company, the New Zealand Players. After a brief period in England working in the advertising sector at Vogue magazine, she returned to New Zealand to pursue her theatrical career once more. She expressed feelings of both excitement and fear at her return, particularly during her debut role in "Absurd Person Singular," which was a resounding success despite her ongoing battle with stage fright. Throughout her career, Moody has played various strong female roles, such as Mrs Bracknell in "The Importance of Being Earnest" and the eponymous character in Bruce Mason's "Blood of the Lamb." Notably, she has a fondness for comedy, maintaining that making people laugh brings her the most joy in her craft. Her transition to directing came after years of acting, successfully helming productions including "Cranway Rd." and "Burn This" at the Court Theatre. Moody acknowledges the appeal of lighter, comedic theatre, seeing value in performance that attracts large audiences without denigrating the artistic merit. Moody's directorial style emphasizes the importance of language in theatre, strongly opposing what she perceives as divisive changes in language due to militant feminism. This perspective reflects her passion for the richness of language and her reluctance to accept changes that might dilute its essence. Moody's reputation for forthrightness and her eccentric character have earned her both admiration and criticism, with peers describing her as "mad" in an endearing way. Aside from her theatrical contributions, Moody also hosts a talkback radio show on Radio Avon, where her wit and candid nature have made the programme popular despite a rocky start. Her success was somewhat serendipitous, arising from a compelling public speech at a school prize-giving, which led to her being offered the hosting role. In summary, Elizabeth Moody's multifaceted career encompasses acting, directing, and radio hosting, characterised by her passion for comedy and strong opinions on the arts and language. Her contributions to the Christchurch theatre community are significant, illustrating her status as a beloved and influential personality.

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