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ArthurBaysting

  • Writer
  • Performer
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Although better known as a songwriter and a spirited champion of New Zealand music, Arthur Baysting made a number of contributions to the screen. In the 1970s he was a scriptwriter on breakthrough dramas Winners & Losers and Sleeping Dogs, while his white-clad alter ego Neville Purvis graced both cabaret stages and a short-lived TV series. He passed away on 3 December 2019. 

Screenography

In Memoriam 2020
2020 Subject Short film
The 'Ahu Sistas
2008 Director Short film

Biography

Arthur Baysting was working for Thursday magazine in the early 1970s when he wrote a review of Derek, a TV drama about a man messing up his last day at work. He predicted two things: that Derek would win a Feltex award, and annoy morals campaigner Patricia Bartlett. When both predictions came true, he got a call from Derek's co-creator Ian Mune.

Awards

1999 SPADA Screen Industry Awards (Screen Production and Development Association, New Zealand)
SPADA/OnFilm Industry Champion

1993 New Zealand Film and Television Awards
Best Drama Programme: Undercover

“He is a trained journalist, a much published poet, a stand-up comedian, a scriptwriter and the yoghurt man in the TV ad ... He also writes the material, for his own, his very own, creation — Neville Purvis, a sort of urban Fred Dagg, a cross between Dame Edna Everage and Ian Kirkpatrick, if you can imagine such a thing.”

— Writer Tony Reid summarises the non-musical end of Arthur Baysting's career, The Listener, 25 February 1978, page 12

Related images

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The cover art for 1977 single 'It Takes Money' backed by 'Disco On My Radio', by Neville Purvis, alter ego of Arthur Baysting. The artwork is by Joe Wylie; the music video was directed by Roger Donaldson.
Cover by Joe Wylie
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Neville Purvis and his white ukulele Eric at the Wellington Opera House, March 1978. Purvis was one of the entertainers appearing in Red Mole production Ghost Rite. The Auckland Star's John Ghent wrote of an earlier Ghost Rite performance that Neville Purvis MC "stole the early show".
Supplied by Arthur Baysting
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A shot of Neville Purvis in all his glory.
Supplied by Arthur Baysting
Arthur-Baysting-Gallery-4.jpg
Neville Purvis makes an entrance with artist Jean Clarkson, at the late 1977 world premiere of movie Sleeping Dogs at Auckland’s Civic Theatre. Riot police stand by. Purvis (aka Arthur Baysting) co-wrote the script with Ian Mune.
Photo by Bruce Jarvis
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Neville Purvis and two fans.
Supplied by Arthur Baysting
Arthur-Baysting-Gallery-6.jpg
Illustration of Neville Purvis by artist Joe Wylie.
By Joe Wylie. Supplied by Arthur Baysting
A_Bed_For_The_Night_Gallery1.jpg
Arthur Baysting’s earliest screen credit: 1974 teleplay A Bed for the Night, a tale of partner swapping which screened on anthology series Spotlight. The actor on the right is Roger Oakley (Home and Away).
Photo taken by Terence Hogan during the original broadcast
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A shot from A Bed for the Night, Arthur Baysting’s teleplay about couple swapping. It screened as part of 1974 anthology series Spotlight. From left to right: actor unknown, David Weatherly, Lee Grant and Roger Oakley. Grant called it her favourite episode of the series. "It seemed to flow beautifully. I was most impressed with it."
Photo taken by Terence Hogan during the original broadcast
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The night Arthur Baysting said a four letter word on the 18 October 1979 episode of the late night Neville Purvis Family Show, three negative phone calls were logged. Local media were largely unimpressed by the language, although Baysting had some defenders. This February 1980 letter summarises his dealings with the police over the matter.
Supplied by Arthur Baysting
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A letter to Arthur Baysting from the Lower Hutt office of the police, after he was interviewed about using a four letter word on The Neville Purvis Family Show. It is dated 15 February 1980. See close up image.
Supplied by Arthur Baysting
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A publicity shot of Neville Purvis and his trusty Mark ll Zephyr.
Supplied by Arthur Baysting