Devonport's Victoria Theatre will be hosting an exciting AK07 production, writes Kirsten Grant.
Sarah Burren has been the driving force behind breathing new life into the Old Vic, as Devonport locals call it, since she found it empty three years ago. And next month the Victoria Theatre will sparkle as the
venue for Facade - Comedie d'Images, one of three Auckland Festival AK07 events in Devonport.
Sarah says the theatre, built in 1912, has amazing acoustics, and Facade was specifically chosen to make use, and raise awareness, of the acoustics. ``It's a bit Monty Python-esque,'' she says. ``It's 33 vignettes or stories in one hour, some are only 30 seconds.
Verity Burgess, who provides technical help for Facade - Comedie d'Images, was astounded by the Victoria Theatre when she first set foot in it. ``It's really old and beautiful,'' she says.
In her third year of a degree in jazz at Massey University, Milford local Verity usually sings in productions but her role in Facade is more technical.
``I follow the score and the musicians. I make the visual cues go off in time with the music,'' she says.
Images will be projected over the roving musicians and those narrating the poetry. ``You have to keep up with all the instruments all the time. It's quite a big responsibility.''
The 20-year-old has sung in a number of musicals but has never done anything like this.
``This is the first time I've been involved off-stage. It's good experience and quite challenging,'' she says.
``I have to know the music so if I lose my place, I can pick it up again.''
Facade is directed by Czech David Fotter, with costumes by designer Trelise Cooper.
The other two AK07 events in Devonport are Wild Dogs Under My Skirt at St Paul's Presbyterian Church and Terrain at The Depot Art Space.
Info: www.iticket.co.nz, 361 1000 or www.aucklandfestival.co.nz.
