16 Apr 2011
Audiences at yesterday’s Aspiring Conversations were treated to two fascinating behind the scenes insights into the Festival’s two world premieres.
Truth, Biography and Drama saw lead actress, Jennifer Ward Lealand, together with pianist Michael Houstoun, playwright Dave Armstrong and biographer Jill Trevelyan shed some light on their collaboration that resulted in Rita and Douglas, a very moving and involving show that delighted audiences at the premiere in Queenstown and that has two performances in Wanaka on Saturday.
In Truth, History and Drama, Radio New Zealand National’s Lynn Freeman chaired a session with Riverside Drive director Sara Brodie, lead actress Jordaine Wilson, Anna Shaw and Philip Tremewan. The talk highlighted how valuable the production was for the local community. “The whole experience has been a rich learning experience for all of us and I’m immensely proud of the students,” said MAC teacher Anna Shaw. “To have the opportunity to be in a world premiere written by one of our foremost scriptwriters, it’s hugely important as a drama teacher to give students this opportunity - how many schools can say that?”
Riverside Drive continues its sellout season at Hawea Flat until Saturday with hopes that in the future it will become a professional production and even revert back to the screen play Graeme Tetley originally wrote it as.
Like Riverside Drive, Hotel is halfway through its sellout season of 14 shows at the Festival. This voyeuristic view of what goes on behind the door of Room 301 is intriguing as you try and work out the stories of the differentcharacters who have stayed in this anonymous hotel room at Edgewater.
In the evening the Central Lakes Trust Crystal Palace resonated to the pacific beats of Island Summer from Christchurch. As the wonderfully tropical sounds floated over the audience there was added poignancy as the show was fundraiser for the Christchurch arts community which took a major hit in the recent earthquake.
The Festival of Colour continues until 17 April 2011 with tickets still available for a number of shows in Wanaka, Queenstown, Cromwell and Glenorchy. The Festival is generously supported byCentral Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, Creative New Zealand and Aurora. For further information and ticket sales, visit www.festivalofcolour.co.nz.
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