November 14, 2017
Kahungunu trailblazing playwright Renee honoured
Ngati Kahungunu playwright Renee has been given this year's $20,000 Playmarket Award for the significant artistic contribution she has made to theatre in New Zealand.
Her memoir, These Two hands, was also launched at Sunday's Playmarket Accolades in Wellington.
Renee, who was born in 1929, has described herself as a lesbian feminist with socialist working-class ideals.
She starting writing her first play Setting the Table on New Year's Day 1981 out of a desire to write good roles for women, and has since written numerous plays, touring revues, television scripts, and a well-received guide to playwrighting.
Actor and fellow playwright Lorae Parry says Renee didn’t stand at the door waiting for it to open – she kicked it open, leaped onto the stage and said: 'I’m here.'
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