Celebrated and revered, yet always humble and approachable, Joan Kennaway QSM settles herself into a seat in the centre of the auditorium at the Capitaine Bougainville Theatre in Forum North.
The renowned opera singer and founding member of Opera North is here for a Mamma Mia! Northland production rehearsal.
Joan has been working on the show for the past year, helping select the cast and then coaching and encouraging their singing skills.
The time can be counted in hours now until the curtain goes up on Friday night - opening night. Joan is quietly proud.
Around half the cast credits her with helping them achieve the vocal skills they need to be part of this production.
She brings an A4 pad to take notes during the full run through of the show.
"I want to hear more from the booth singers," she says, referring to the unseen cast of backing singers whose voices complement the principal players we see and hear on stage.
"They're such a great group, and they sing so well together . . . a really natural sound," she says.
Joan is proud, too, of the role Opera North has played in nurturing many of the talented performers in Mamma Mia!.
She agrees it's like a fertile vege patch for Northland talent.
"It's developed into more of a musical operatic sound than a straight chorus," Joan said. "We get such a wonderful blend of so many different types of voices."
Rehearsals for Mamma Mia! have been "great fun".
"I'm really encouraged by the way the cast are receiving my suggestions, and how they're willing to give those ideas a try."
Mamma Mia!, based on the music of ABBA, opens at Forum North on Friday.
The show is being brought to Northland by Centre Events Ltd, which is the management arm of the Waipu Museum Charitable Trust.