Interview with Gordon Asbridge

Interview with Gordon Asbridge, born in Wellington in 1929. Recalls his childhood in Wadestown and learning French songs at the Glen Huntly Kindergarten. Mentions his French teachers at Wellington College and attending French plays at the town hall. Comments that he learnt most of his French at Victoria University under Professor Boyd-Wilson, and at the French club Circle Litteraie Francais de Wellington (CLF). Refers to the university French club. Talks about the fortnightly CLF meetings as big social events with music and plays followed by supper. Discusses rehearsals and performances of the plays and the role of Victor Vivequin. Refers to the contribution of French diplomats, and to the dress code at meetings. Talks about going to Montpellier University in 1951 as an oral assistant, studying there, and meeting his wife Marie-Claire. Comments on getting married in England and returning to New Zealand in 1955. Talks about rejoining the French club, serving on the committee, and organising annual Moliere evenings. Mentions plays that were performed by club members. Comments that the plays and club life ended after television was introduced.

Refers to getting a teaching position at Wellington College but not being allowed to teach French, so he joined the Department of External Affairs. Talks about his overseas postings to Tokyo, Canberra and Paris, and resettling in New Zealand at the end of his career. Comments on the French nuclear tests in the Pacific, and that he did not realise how bad the fallout was from atmospheric tests. Mentions that their house was broken into after the bombing of the Rainbow Warrior and all of Marie-Claire's correspondence in French was photographed. Says that other French people had similar experiences. Comments that he does not have much involvement with Alliance Francais today, but is amazed by the variety of French people living in Wellington, and that there are a lot more French films and restaurants here than formerly.

Contents: Accompanied by: photocopy of the programme for a Circle Litteraie Francais de Wellington soiree on 22 May 1958, featuring Gordon Asbridge; photocopy of a short newspaper article about the event.

Interviewer(s) - Ann Tohill

Quantity: 1 printed abstract(s). 1 C60 cassette(s). 1 interview(s). 1 Hours Duration.

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA-5947.

Search dates: 1929 - 2007

Original recordings not available for playback. Surrogate copies will be provided.