The Pohutukawa Tree

Summary

1959 BBC Television production of The Pohutukawa Tree by Bruce Mason.

Theatre play

The Pohutukawa Tree by Bruce Mason [more information]

Play synopsis

Set in New Zealand in the present time, the story tells of the clash between Maori traditions and the ways of life of the white community. The Pohutukawa Tree has legendary significance for the Maori people.

Production history

'First completed in 1955, and updated many times, this tale of M ori-P k ha collision and marriage spawned 170 plus productions, including a 1959 BBC adaptation that attracted 20 million viewers.' Source: http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/bruce-mason/biography.

Date of transmission

Sunday 18 October 1959

Time

8.45-10.15pm

Series

Sunday-Night Theatre

Channel

BBC Television

Production company

BBC

Credits

Producer

John Jacobs

Playwright

Bruce Mason

Designer

Richard Wilmot

Cast

Bridget Armstrong	Sylvia Atkinson
Terence Bayler	George Rawlings
Newton Blick	Dr Lomas
Norman Florence	Johnny Mataira
Hermione Gregory	Queenie Mataira
Lesley Jackson	Mrs Johnson
Lloyd Lamble	Claude Johnson
Philip Latham	The Rev. Athol Sedgwick
Redmond Phillips	Mr Atkinson
Madge Ryan	Mrs Atkinson
Hira Tauwhare	Aroha Mataira
Noel Trevarthen	Roy McDowell
Jerold Wells	John Dexter

Additional details

Extant status

No archival copy is known to exist.

Play tags

Maori people and culture; New Zealand drama; race relations

Print sources

Title

Maori Reactions to Colour Bar (Newspaper review)

Reference

The Times, 19 October 1959, p. 6

Title

Radio Times, 16 October 1959 (Magazine)

Linking notes

article, listing and photograph on p. 13