The Road that Wasn't There is a "scary fairytale" inspired by the work of Margaret Mahy. Photo/supplied
The Road that Wasn't There is a "scary fairytale" inspired by the work of Margaret Mahy. Photo/supplied
Choosing family shows for the Tauranga Arts Festival is one of the pleasures for festival director Jo Bond.
"Giving youngsters access to live performance is something we believe in," Bond says. "Watching them become absorbed by a show is a delight and we hope we're building audiences - and possiblytalent - for the future."
Broadway hit Leo (October 27 and 28) tests perceptions of reality with its "which way is up?" set, a physical performance and clever video projections. Bond says Leo is one of the best pieces of theatre she has seen.
"The story - a man trapped in a room and how he escapes - is told in an unexpected and delightful way. It's funny and moving."
Physical skills are also on show at Finding the Silence (October 22 and 23) by Australian circus company Casus. The show was devised by Casus co-founder Emma Serjeant after trying to balance on one arm on someone's head. "I realised I nailed it only when my brain went completely silent," she says.
Fresh from winning a circus award in France, Casus will astound all ages.
Firmly aimed at the younger set is Squaring the Wheel (October 22 and 23) where Jens Altheimer from Australia combines clowning with contraptions. His "pile of junk" that becomes a gadget includes 34m of bent steel, 17 balls and 15 eggs. Audiences can enjoy a 20-minute Q&A afterwards and a closer look at the creation.
The Road that Wasn't There (October 24 and 25) is a "scary fairytale" for ages 8 to 108, based on the fact there are 56,000km of paper roads in New Zealand - what happens if you follow one off the edge of the map? The inventive story is told with music, shadow play and puppetry.
Jens Altheimer creating his comedy contraption. Photo/David Wyatt
Live music and dance, juggling and comedy all form part of Dirt & Other Delicious Ingredients, a fun matinee show on October 29 that gives younger festival-goers the chance to enjoy the sumptuous interior of the travelling Pacific Crystal Palace, erected on Masonic Park for the festival.
Opening down The Strand tomorrow is Arboria, a giant, walk-in, light-filled sculpture accessible to all ages and abilities. Timed-entry tickets or door sales.
more info See pages 4 and 8 to 11 for more on the upcoming Tauranga Arts Festival.
the fine print Tickets for all shows and Arboria from Baycourt or ticketek.co.nz. See the festival programme at www.taurangafestival.co.nz. Tauranga Arts Festival runs from October 22 to November 1.
A performer from Dirt & Other Delicious Ingredients. Photo/supplied
