July 15, 2013

RICHARD CAMPION

John Smythe      posted 4 Jul 2013, 11:44 AM

Richard Campion was a legendary name in NZ theatre when I grew up. I first met him in my first year at Wellington College, when he was finishing a stint there as an English teacher. – his fall-back position when the NZ Players ran out of money. He was also, of course, a driving force in directing drama productions – which were not part of the curriculum in those days. Later I had the great good fortune to be directed by him in the NZ Players Drama Quartet (1967). And it was he who auditioned me on behalf of NIDA (before NZ had a full time professional drama school of its own). His delighted smile and effusive greeting were always a joy to me in many a theatre foyer over the years – right up until a few months ago.

Nic Farra              posted 4 Jul 2013, 12:11 PM

It will be difficult, not to say impossible, to overestimate Richard Campion’s contribution to the existence of our profession in New Zealand. As someone who put the future of professional theatre to the foremost of his thoughts, he saw a world that very few imagined in the fifties. Our loss is one of a founder. It is fair to say there was nothing before he came.

Editor    posted 4 Jul 2013, 05:24 PM

From Richard Falkner at the Film Archive:

“We have a fantastic piece of film here at the Film Archive (probably several) in one of the Pacific Magazine episodes. A young Campion is showcasing air freight by moving his sets from Chch to Wellington. http://www.filmarchive.org.nz/the-catalogue/media/pacific-magazine-10-f12645”

Editor    posted 5 Jul 2013, 08:54 AM

From the DomPost online (includes a lovely photo):

One of the stalwarts of New Zealand theatre has died.

Richard Campion, 89, died in Wellington on Tuesday after a brief battle in pneumonia.

He was the father of Academy Award-winning director Jane Campion who this afternoon described him as an amazing man with an unbridled enthusiasm for theatre.

Even in his final years, he continued to attend the theatre despite being unable to hear or understand the words, she said. [More]

Also see today’s Dominion Post, page A6, for a tribute from daughter Jane Campion.

Paul Maunder    posted 6 Jul 2013, 12:16 PM

I first met Dick when he directed a play for Victoria University’s Dramsoc. It was something by Dürrenmatt perhaps – one of those European works anyway. Fresh from Palmerston North, I played some lesser role in gangling fashion. He was wonderfully laid back and professional, a man of grace and skill. He made me want to be a director. Eventually I had a go and that confirmed for me that directing was what I wanted to do. So I went and asked him how you went about it? ‘Better go to NIDA,’ he recommended. ‘Go and see the Arts Council and see if they’ll give you a grant.’ I’d never heard of NIDA and never heard of the Arts Council either. I went and saw the latter but they didn’t give me a grant.

However I did get to NIDA.

He was then, back in the early 1960s, an image of possibility, a changemaker; someone who crafted it out in what was a difficult culture for someone engaged in the arts.

Paul Maunder

Editor    posted 15 Jul 2013, 08:12 PM

DOMINION POST OBITUARY

All the world was a stage for NZ Players founder 

DIANA DEKKER – 13/07/2013

THEATRE STALWART: Richard Campion, who died on July 2, with wife Jude Campion in 2009. 

Richard Campion, theatre pioneer: b Wellington, December 13, 1923; m (1) Edith Hannah (diss), 1s 2d, (2) Judith Phipson; d Wellington, July 2, 2013; aged 89. 

Life was an exuberant theatrical experience for Richard Campion, so it was only natural he should make it his career. 

He even said he never thought of acting as acting, “just being”. [More]

John Smythe      posted 5 Oct 2013, 11:55 AM

There will be a tribute to Richard Campion on Monday 4th November at 4pm, Paramount Theatre, Courtenay Place, Wellington.

Circa and Paramount Theatres   posted 29 Oct 2013, 11:45 AM

A TRIBUTE TO RICHARD CAMPION (1923-2013)

Monday, 4 November, 2013

Circa Theatre and Paramount Theatre

Sharing the Love

Circa Theatre is honoured to join the Campion family in hosting a tribute to New Zealand theatre pioneer Richard Campion, who died in July of this year. Director Jane Campion will offer a series of free masterclasses at Circa on Monday, 4 November, followed by a late afternoon tribute at the Paramount Theatre at 4pm and refreshments at Circa after 6pm.

“My father, Richard Campion, was passionate about theatre, about performance, about creativity, about people having a go. He was a wondrously generous man who breathed warmth and belief into my fledgling hopes of making film and television. In his memory and honour, I am offering three free workshops at Circa on Monday, 4 November 2013,” said Jane Campion.

The masterclasses will focus on acting writing and directing for film and television, and will take place between 10am and 3pm on 4 November. They are free to attend, but attendees must register in advance at https://www.facebook.com/TheCastingCompany.

The public tribute at 4pm at Paramount Theatre on Courtenay Place will be a celebration of Richard Campion’s work and the life force of theatre. 

Actor and founding Circa member Ray Henwood said: “Richard Campion directed many memorable plays at Circa, including our second production in 1976 Juno and the Paycock; the original creation, Waitangi, for the first International Festival of the Arts and a stunning two play season of King Lear and The Dresser, which played to capacity houses. Richard was the leading figure of New Zealand theatre during the latter part of the 20th Century and we are privileged to remember him as an important part of our history and the first man of New Zealand professional theatre as we know it today.”