Interview with Cathy Downes

Discusses the question of why many New Zealand women are writing drama. Comments on the impetus given by feminism in the 1970s. Recalls writing `Sweet nothings' with Janet Findlay in 1976 while at Drama School. Mentions the encouragement of Mervyn Thompson. Notes that `Sweet corn', written with Jane Waddell in 1978, was a spinoff. Mentions it was written from overseas using an American setting but it was being rewritten from a New Zealand perspective. Describes its performance at Downstage, Circa, Centrepoint and in Sydney and Edinburgh.

Discusses her work on `The case of Katherine Mansfield'. Comments that aspects of Mansfield's life had personal meaning for her and struck a chord with others. Talks about adapting Rachel McAlpine's `Farewell speech', about the lives of Kate Sheppard and Ada Wells, for theatre. Describes some of her writing as personal-historic-political-feminist. Describes the role of Playmarket in assisting with a contract. Discusses character writing and the way in which a play's meaning is conveyed.

Talks about her parents and school education. Describes doing satirical comedy with John Clarke and Roger Hall at university in revues. Mentions that the women played second to the men in these performances. Discusses her involvement in Women in Theatre in Australia with Jenny Ludlam, Lorae Parry and Hilary Beaton. Describes it as a possible precursor to `Hen's teeth'. Describes herself first as an actor then as a director and then as a writer. Mentions her preference for writing drama because of its association with acting.

Interviewer(s) - Colleen Cleary

Quantity: 1 C90 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 1.30 Hours and minutes Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3431.

Search dates: 1991

Alternative form available: Listening copy OHLC-007162