Salient. Victoria University Student Newspaper. Volume 36, Number 4. 21st March 1973
T.V. with Popeye - on - the - box
T.V. with Popeye - on - the - box
One of the more justified complaints of local actors is that overseas talent is imported for NZBC productions when local talent would do the same job as well or better. This complaint was given some force by Ewen Solon's disastrous performance in "Section Seven". Now comes Peter Adamson (of Coronation Street fame) to star in Pinter's "The Dumb Waiter" with Grant Tilly. All the people 1 have asked describe Adamson's performance as inferior to Tilly's, who was paid only half Adamson's fee. Why bring out these overseas artists when capable talent exists here? At best it is just putting into effect that stupid old belief that everything imported is superior to the local product.
Feltex Awards
Giving the award to "An Awful Silence" on the basis that it contributed to the development of local television was unfortunate but predictable. The play itself was badly written, the secondary actors useless, and the whole production had an air of antiquity about it. If it had played in the afternoon, it would have slipped by without comment. My vote (With the usual disclaimers about rating programmes as best/worst etc ) would have gone to either "Miss Julie" or Pacific Film's "The Unbelievable Glory of the Human Voice".
Predictions
"Love Story" on Wednesday night looks good, despite the appearance of Nyree Dawn Porter. "All In a Day", a new BBC series, may be interesting as it breaks new ground in documentaries. If your cooking needs improving, Des (Coachman) Brillen has a good series on early Monday evenings. Jim Allen, the playwright who wrote the amazing "The Big Flame", has made a contribution to the 'Thirty Minute Theatre' series on Sunday night. Finally, a word in praise of a late night Sunday series, "A European Journey", a semi-documentary in which two noted foreign correspondents do a lazy European tour, telling very funny stories all the time.
Complaints
If you have complaints about television programmes, don't bore your friends with them. Write in to the Director General, NZBC, P.O.Box 98, who will then pan your complaints on to the minions who actually schedule and make the programmes. This is the only way to get any response from the organisation.