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“Manawatu Society Jubilant Over National Triumph”

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Description: This image was published in the September 10th 1978 edition of the Tribune weekly newspaper with the caption: “Robert Rimmer, producer of the nation's best one act play for 1978, holds the Book of Honour which the society won. Behind him is the cast and other people involved in the production of "Passion". From left they are: John Adams, Tim Wilson, Gayle Jones, Stephen Fisher, Margaret Webster. Up the ladder are Simon Archer, Elaine Morgan and Brenda Markham. Others in the photograph, from the ladder to the right of the picture, are Sharon Forbes, Alan Jones, Pam Edmonds, Graham Rolfe, Terry Skelsey, and Charles Forbes. Absent: Colynette Patrick, Joan Zimmerman, Ray Richard.”

An excerpt from the article read: “These people have made history for the Manawatu, and New Zealand. They are all members of the Manawatu Theatre Society, and their production of the play "Passion" won the final of the New Zealand Theatre Federation’s one-act play festival in Christchurch last weekend. It was the first time the society had won the contest.”

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“The adjudicator was Professor Keith Thompson, of Massey University. The society had some anxious moments with the New Zealand final - its most major problem was that it couldn't initially afford the cost of taking the two sets to Christchurch and bringing them back. The society even considered scrapping one of the entries, so that it could aford [sic] to bring the other set back. However, the dilemma was eventually solved by a public appeal, and sufficient money was received to pау for the two way freight cost of $680. The cost of the cast's travelling and accommodation expenses was additional.”

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“And the prize after all that effort? Just a book - no money or anything like that, Mr Fisher said. ‘It's just for the honour and the glory. It boosts the society's reputation throughout the country.’ The book is the New Zealand Theatre Federation's Book of Honour, and includes the winners of every national contest since 1933. Some of New Zealand's most illustrious actors and actresses are listed in it. Now there is a Manawatu Society entry - for the first time.”

This image forms part of the Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection. Unfortunately, only negatives between April and December 1978 are held.