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Salient: Victoria University of Wellington Students' Newspaper. Vol. 32, No. 14. 1969.

[progress of Downstage]

John Bannas (left) and Tim Grosser in "The Zoo Story"

By Bob Lord

Downstage Theatre is established in the sense that it is a part of our cultural life, we know where it is, we know we cart expect a certain standard of performance, and we hope we will be entertained informed and made to think by what we see there.

Progress demands changes and Downstage is undergoing a radical change at present. It is in the process of shilling to new temporary premises in the Star Boating Club so that a new theatre can be built on the present Courtenay Place site.

Before the move is completed Downstage will pay a tribute to its beginnings—it will present again the play that opened its successful career.

The play is Edward Albee's "The Zoo Story". Written ten years ago the play, Albee's first, has been hailed as excellent theatre throughout, the world. Its cruelty, wit, and the skill with which it it is written have secured for it a place in modern American drama.

In Wellington the play established a theatre, it attracted audiences, showed them a type of intimate theatre they previously had not known, and created a demand for such theatre that Downstage has endeavoured to fulfil ever since.

For this production Downstage has cast two young actors, both from the university: John Banas and Tim Grosser. Both men are 19 and both have had considerable acting experience. John has been seen at the university in "Christmas Revue 1968". "The Fire Raisers" and "All's Well That Ends Well". He was recently in the excellent Downstage production of "Amera Hurrah".

Tim, a first-year arts student, has for eight years been performing in radio plays for the NZBC and for Downstage acted as production assistant for its recent tour of the controversial play "Staircase".

"The Zoo Story" is directed by Anne Flannery, who last year appeared in the Downstage production of Albee's "A Delicate Balance".

For this production Downstage stage is ottering admission to all students at the reduced price of 75 cents.

• picture shows John Bannas (left) and Tim Grosser in "The Zoo Story". The play opens at Cambridge Terrace on July 1.