Loose Enz - That Bread Should Be So Dear

TVNZ's Loose Enz series was a series of 12 stand-alone dramas made in the early 1980s. This episode, directed by television trailblazer Caterina De Nave, chronicles married life for two neighboring couples who have very different relationship dynamics. Mary (a rare starring role for Shirley Duke) is trying to move into the working world now that her kids have grown up, much to the irritation of her controlling husband David. The couple next door have a much more equal relationship. Increasingly dark, this episode is a trenchant criticism of patriarchical mores of the time.

You think I’m a cigarette machine. You pop the money in and get the goodies out.

– Mary (Shirley Duke)

Key Cast & Crew

Shirley Duke

As: Mary

Caterina De Nave

Director

Tony Isaac

Producer

Olwynne Macrae

Writer

Huntly Eliott

As: Doctor

Peter McMechan

As: Headmaster