Downstage

Jan Prettijohns directed Downstage's stage truck company in a play called School for Clowns, by F.W. Waechter, translated by Ken Campbell.

The production staff of five did a professional job with the help of Rawiri doing percussion accompaniment. Although the production was meticulous, with well choreographed action and colourful interesting costumes, I feel the play was too highbrow for an audience of young children. School for Clowns shows an amusing group of clowns in a learning situation, but its suitability for children is doubtful. How many children are able to understand phrases like "chastisement" and a clown complaining of the classes' "tempestuous effervescent personalities"?

The acting included some brilliant mime and fast action work. If not suitable for children, "Mame" sung under canvas was fun for others.

Wellington should be pleased that it is able to offer a variety of theatre for children, and with the good response that has met these plays, be encouraged to extend and broaden the sphere of theatre entertainment for children, both young and n not so young. The plays presented for the May holidays are a credit to all those involved in their production and success.

Louise Genet