Interview with Stephanie Johnson

Discusses whether a playwright should be present during a play's production. Talks about her early plays. Comments on her play `Accidental fantasies', the failure of the second act, rewriting it and her feminism at the time. Describes doing a Drama Diploma with Mervyn Thompson and his encouragement of her and other writers. Comments on the lack of roles for women. Discusses her five years in Australia from 1985 to 1989. Comments on Auckland and Sydney and compares attitudes of New Zealand and Australian writers. Discusses the production of her play `Another two minutes' with the actors Liz McRae and James Beaumont. Mentions her as yet unpublished novel `Crimes of neglect'.

Talks about being a mother and a writer. Discusses the family, difficulties of coping with two working parents, food preparation, family meals, children and television, the disappearance of unions and the sale of state assets. Describes her reading as a child and scary stories she wrote Mentions she has also been an actor. Comments on the need to convey a message in drama by the use of character rather than `tub thumping'. Discusses the role of editors and directors in plays and films. Discusses male playwrights including Stuart Hoare, James Beaumont, Greg McGee, Anthony McCarten and his play `Exile'. Comments on actors becoming playwrights. Mentions Fiona Samuels, Rosie Scott and Anne Kennedy.

Interviewer(s) - Colleen Cleary

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

Finding Aids: Abstract Available - transcript(s) available OHA-3433.

Alternative form available: Listening copy OHLC-007090