Nz poet bruce mason biography

Nz poet bruce mason biography Mason, Bruce Bruce Mason died in from cancer. Relocating to Wellington, he began writing and performing at Unity Theatre. Mason died on the last day of

Bruce Mason

New Zealand playwright

For the Australian sports scientist, see Bruce Mason (sports scientist).

Bruce Mason CBE
Born	()28 September Wellington, New Zealand
Died	31 December () (aged&#;61) Wellington, New Zealand
Occupation	Playwright, actor, critic, fiction writer
Spouse	Diana Manby Shaw &#; (m.&#;)&#;

Bruce Edward George MasonCBE (28 September – 31 December ) was a significant playwright in New Zealand who wrote 34 plays and influenced the cultural landscape of the country through his contribution to theatre.

In , he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.^[1] The Bruce Mason Playwriting Award, one of the most important playwrighting accolades in New Zealand, is named in his honour.^[2] Mason was also an actor, critic, and fiction writer.^[3]

Mason's most well known play is The End of the Golden Weather, a classic work in New Zealand theatre, which he performed solo more than times in many New Zealand towns.^[4] It was made into a feature film directed by Ian Mune in Another significant play is The Pohutukawa Tree written during the s and s.

The Pohutukawa Tree was Mason's first major success and explored Māori and Pākehā themes, a common thread in most of his works. Theatre was an avenue for Mason to highlight social and political issues in New Zealand society.^[1] He translated Chekhov'sThe Cherry Orchard for radio in His works of solo theatre was collected under the title Bruce Mason Solo () and included The End of the Golden Weather.

Daphne and chloe: The Plays of Bruce Mason: A survey. He was also a theatre critic for the capital's newspapers from the s to the s. A noted obstetrician specialising in women's health, she shared his interest in the arts. Mason was born in Wellington , the country's capital.

Published in was The Healing Arch, a cycle of five plays, including The Pohutukawa Tree and Hongi, which focus on Māori culture post European contact.

Background

Mason was born in Wellington, the country's capital. At the age of 5, his family moved to Takapuna.

He attended Victoria University College where he took part in drama. In , he graduated with a B.A. He served in the New Zealand Army (–) and the Naval Volunteer Reserve (–).

Nz poet bruce mason biography death Wikiwand for Chrome. He was also a theatre critic for the capital's newspapers from the s to the s. Kiri-Michelle Mohi. Related writers.

He later worked for the New Zealand Forest Service (–).^[1] He edited the Māori news magazine Te Ao Hou (–), a culturally significant publication. He was a co-founder of Downstage Theatre, New Zealand's first professional theatre in and wrote a weekly column Music on the Air for the New Zealand Listener from to He was also a theatre critic for the capital's newspapers from the s to the s.^[1]

Honours and awards

In , Mason was awarded an honorary Doctor of Literature degree by Victoria University of Wellington.^[5] In the New Year Honours, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to literature and the arts.^[6]

Personal life

Mason met his wife Diana while studying at Victoria University College in A noted obstetrician specialising in women's health, she shared his interest in the arts.

They had three children, Belinda, Julian and Rebecca.

Death

Bruce Mason died in from cancer.

Bruce mason obituary The attacks and controversy resulting after he politely refused to bow at the feet of touring Brit actor Donald Wolfit — outlined in book Every Kind of Weather — likely played a part in breaking down local mindsets that quality theatre could only mean mother England. Bruce Mason. Background [ edit ]. He later worked for the New Zealand Forest Service —

His wife Diana Mason died in June , nearly 25 years after her husband's death.

Legacy

Mason's plays are studied at schools and universities. The Bruce Mason Centre, a major arts and theatre venue in Auckland is also named after him. The centre was opened in and contains a seat auditorium.

Bruce mason shinfalls

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Bruce Mason - Writer's Files • Read NZ Te Pou Muramura

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The Promenade Cafe displays Bruce Mason memorabilia, including his original desk and typewriter.^[7]

In , The Pohutukawa Tree was staged by Auckland Theatre Company, directed by Colin McColl and starring Rena Owen and Stuart Devenie.

The Bruce Mason Playwriting Award has been running since currently managed by Playmarket, the FAME Trust (Fund for Acting and Musical Endeavours) and Downstage Theatre Society to award an annual $10, to an outstanding emerging New Zealand playwright.^[8] Previous winners include several celebrated writers from New Zealand including Hone Kouka, Briar Grace-Smith, Jo Randerson, Victor Rodger, Arthur Meek, Sam Brooks and Mīria George.^[9]

Plays

The Evening Paper
The Bonds of Love
The Licensed Victualler
The Verdict
A Case in Point
Birds in the Wilderness
The End of the Golden Weather (first performed in )
The Pohutukawa Tree , revised (first performed at a theatre workshop in )
The Light Enlarging
We Don't Want Your Sort Here
To Russia with Love
The Waters of Silence
The Hand on the Rail
Swan Song
Hongi , published
Awatea
Zero Inn
Not Christmas, but Guy Fawkes
Courting Blackbird
Blood of the Lamb
Daphne and Chloe (televised )
Do Not Go Gentle (televised )
The Garlick Thrust (televised )
Rise and Shine