Savage Play - Part Three

In the third episode of this drama based on the 1888-89 tour of Great Britain by the NZ Natives rugby team, the romance between Pony and Charlotte is gathering momentum. Charlotte’s grandfather — the Earl — might be alarmed by the tryst, but the Cambridge University rugby team has a far blunter way of expressing their displeasure with a Māori rugby player trying to cross class and racial lines. In the face of such opposition, Charlotte and Pony attempt to follow their hearts, but can they resist the pressures now being exerted by both of their cultures?

He’s eccentric. He’s aristocratic, not necessarily like me, but it’s something I do rather well, I suppose. He’s a grandfather like I am. He has a troublesome granddaughter, which I sort of have.

– Ian Richardson (on his character Earl) (NZ Listener, 13 April 1996 - p.36)

Key Cast & Crew

Alan Lindsay

Producer, Writer, Director

David Hannay

Producer

Robin Thomson

As: Durham

Paris Jefferson

As: Violet

Gavin Richards

As: Kim

Kim Creswell

As: Luscious