Festival Countdown # 12 – The leaves are turning

The leaves are turning, the nights are getting colder and so we’re on the final countdown to the 3rd Festival of Colour. Before we know it the Crystal Palace will be here and we’ll be in the midst of all the wonderful performances and exhibitions.

And we’re turning Wanaka French for a day in celebration of the world premiere of Le Sud, the brand new play by leading New Zealand playwright, Dave Armstrong. This specially commissioned play assumes that the French successfully colonised the South Island in 1839 and South New Zealand or ‘Le Sud’ became an independent French-speaking nation. Le Sud is the story of a delegation of North Zealanders who travel to the Le Sud capital, Wanaka au Lac, to try and get some cheap electricity. This play contains hilarious jabs at the political, sporting, religious, racial and cultural values New Zealanders hold dear!

Everyone attending the premiere on 1 May at the Lake Wanaka Centre is encouraged to dress up to suit the French theme and there will be prizes for the best dressed. The town’s cafes and bars will also join in with turning ‘Francais’, featuring ‘plat du jours’. The Lake Wanaka Centre will turn into the Marie de Ville and don’t be surprised to see berets, Breton jerseys and the occasional onion-wearing accordion player around town!

If you are French, or know of French speakers who may like to assist us please call the Festival Office – (03) 443 4172.

Please note that due to popular demand, there is an extra performance of Le Sud on Monday 4 May at 7.00pm at the Lake Wanaka Centre.

Ship Songs

Tickets are still available for this outstanding play from Auckland Theatre Company. Written and performed by Ian Hughes, this is inspired by the story of how his parents met on the boat to New Zealand from England. It weaves together sea shanties, epic ocean going adventures and intimate love stories. It’s romantic, funny and hugely entertaining. A visually stunning new show with some extraordinary special effects and songs and music by Don McGlashan.

You can see it at the Lake Wanaka Centre on weds 29 April at 7pm and Arrowtown Athenaeum on Saturday 2 May and Sunday 3 May at 7pm. To buy tickets phone 03 443 4178, pop into the iSITE in Wanaka or visit www.festivalofcolour.co.nz

SJD

Sean James Donnelly and his band have just launched their fifth CD Dayglo Spectres. Many of you will recognise their heartbreaking melodies and tuneful synthesizers from the Monteiths ad - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42O2AEDUXhA Tickets are still available for their performance at the Festival of Colour – Friday 1 May at 8.30pm.

Buy Tickets

To get tickets for any of these performances phone 03 443 4178 Monday – Friday 9.00am to 5pm, pop into the iSITE in Wanaka or visit www.festivalofcolour.co.nz

Tickets to collect

If you have tickets to collect from the i-SITE in Wanaka then please head down there over the next few days to collect them, and remember to take the credit card you purchased the tickets with. Please check your tickets carefully as there can be no exchanges or refunds.

Be inspired … Be astounded … Be in Wanaka … Be there.

 The next Festival of Colour takes place on 28 April to 3 May 2009 and is generously supported by Central Lakes Trust, Community Trust of Otago, Creative New Zealand, Infinity Investment Group, Queenstown Lakes District Council and Aurora.