The first seven parts of a fourteen part series, broadcast at 2.06pm on National Radio from Sunday 18 May 2003, to Sunday 29 June 2003. The series was produced and presented by Lynn Freeman, and chronicles the past, present and future of New Zealand theatre. The raw interviews are also held.
Part 1: Setting the Scene (28'39").
The 19th century. Aspects covered - "The Land of the Moa"; Princes Theatre Dunedin; Gold; JC Williamsons; Nellie Stewart (Our Nell); Bland Holt; "The Doll's House".
Part 2: Putting Pen to Paper (30'12").
The 1920s. Aspects covered - Alan Wilkie & his Shakespeare company; British Drama League; "Rabbits", Repertory Theatre.
Part 3: Marsh's Shakespeare (28'50").
Influential figures in the 1940s and 1950s. Aspects covered - Maria Dronke; Unity Theatre; "The Trap" by Kathleen Ross; Community Arts Service, "Waiting for Godot", Professor James Shelley, Canterbury University Drama Society, Laurence Olivier and Vivienne Leigh's visit in 1948; "The Axe" by Allen Curnow; the Commonwealth Players.
Part 4: The New Zealand Players (29'34").
The formation of the New Zealand Players in 1953. Aspects covered - The New Zealand Players; "The Tree" by Stella Jones.
Part 5: Mason's Magic (29'54").
The rigours of touring, and Bruce Mason's contribution. Aspects covered - NZ Players Drama Quartet; Southern Comedy Players, Bruce Mason "The Pohutukawa Tree" "The End of the Golden Weather", James K Baxter "Jack Winter's Dream", Globe Theatre in Dunedin.
Part 6: Home Sweet Home (29'38").
Memories of the 1960s. Aspects covered - Radio drama, formation of Downstage in Wellington, Pat Evison in "Happy Days" there; the formation of Central Theatre and Mercury Theatre, both in Auckland.
Part 7: Inia's Vision (29'10").
Aspects covered - New Zealand Opera Company's Porgy and Bess, Inia Te Wiata, Māori Theatre Trust, formation of regional theatres - Four Seasons in Wanganui, Gateway in Tauranga, Court in Christchurch, Fortune Theatre in Dunedin and Centrepoint Theatre.