Clark to play God

Prime Minister Helen Clark has been elevated to the position of God in an Auckland school-holiday theatre production.

And in a true sign of omniscience she will play the part without even being present in the theatre.

A spokeswoman for Helen Clark confirmed the Prime Minister would again play the voice of God in a production of Spike Milligan's Badjelly the Witch, starting at Auckland's Civic Theatre next week.

As the voice of God, she is not required on stage. Her lines will be played from a pre-recorded tape.

Helen Clark's voice was used in a two-week season of the play at Silo Theatre in Auckland last year.

The director of that production, Ben Crowder said the recording was a small but "absolutely critical role" in the play.

Helen Clark, as Arts and Culture Minister, had been asked to contribute to keep the oldies amused.

"Probably the Helen Clark voice is one of the few moments in the show which is more appreciated by the adult audience."

- NZPA