Tarnished Frocks & Divas reinvents itself

Just a few tickets are left for the spectacular, empowering and completely reinvented Mills Reef Tarnished Frocks And Divas 2011. A series of five invigorating shows will be held at Mills Reef Winery mid-September. This spectacular biennial event has it all: contemporised vintage, music, and performance art.

Tarnished Frocks and Divas is a big production for Tauranga and each time it becomes stronger, more lavish and exciting. This September, the audience will get to experience something slightly unconventional from the divas.

Producer Denny Spee and show director Vanessa Byrnes explain how the creative input of the new musical producer Aaron Saxon and choreographer Katarina Laschke from Mauao PAC has brought a real edge to the show.

"It is fantastic to have them on board. They're young, hot and super talented", says Vanessa. "Their refreshing look at things, their energy and creative input has made this year's show very sexy."

The theme of Tarnished Frocks and Divas 2011 is 'All things French' and with this in mind, it's hard to think of a better venue than Mills Reef Winery.

"The location is perfect," says Vanessa. "Because it's not actually a theatre, it has brought some extra challenges for our set designer Ben Hambling but he has dealt with things brilliantly. It will be a very special setting with an amazing atmosphere."

Several key performers from previous shows will be back on the stage, along with a great team of new divas including a complete new team of models.

"The auditions were great, and the quality was extremely high," says Vanessa. "It's a shame we couldn't take everyone. It is good to see that there are so many fantastic female performers here in the Bay."

The fabulous Judith Bell has again taken on the role as creative director. She's the wardrobe designer of the stunning creations that will grace the catwalk in September and also wrote the script. Jo Page is the coordinator of the Legacy Trust Open Design section of the show - where budding designers and seamstresses can show off their works. The results are spectacular, to say the least.

Some familiar performers will also be on stage again, including Jackie Clark in a new and unexpected role.

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