The Two of Us: Aaron Saxon and Vanessa Byrnes

Vanessa Byrnes is an award-winning director, actor and acting teacher based in Tauriko where she lives with her partner and twin daughters. Aaron Saxon is a musical tutor, performer and top musician who participated in the recent Tarnished Frocks and Divas show, which Vanessa directed.

Vanessa on Aaron

I have enormous respect for gifted musicians. Music says what words alone can't. Great music transcends language, culture, socio-economic status and education. Music is fantastic glue for theatre. I met Aaron when I directed this year's Tarnished Frocks and Divas show. He did way more than a musical director usually does in rehearsal and performance because he shares my view that if you put your name to it, the work should be great.

In making this last show I made huge demands on Aaron. He never once lost his rag with anyone. He has a wicked sense of humour. We've shared some great laughs. Aaron had my back and I had his.

"Yep, we can do that" is a fabulous catchcry when making a big show.

I have genuine affection for Aaron's ability to recognise a juicy "moment" and to make it breathe better with music.

Aaron has strong convictions without being pushy. He's a cool but old soul. There are doers and watchers in this world; Aaron is definitely a doer. He's taken a huge risk by setting up Mauao Performing Arts Centre and I know that with his talent it will keep thriving. I've found a real collaborator and friend in Aaron; Tauranga's lucky to have him and I can't wait to make more work together here and further afield.

Aaron on Vanessa

I'm a fairly good judge of character. Meeting Vanessa for the first time I felt I was meeting someone experienced, gifted and confident. I felt I was about to be part of something very special.

Her interpretation and suggestion of how the Tarnished Frocks and Divas show was going to unfold showed me she had great command over what she was about to do.

Vanessa's workload for this production was huge but I was able to call upon her many times to watch over me and make sure I was on the right track. She was always bang on the money with her suggestions and ideas.

Vanessa has the ability to bring out the best in the people she works with - cast and crew. In rehearsals I would sit beside her as she would talk the actresses through character concepts. Vanessa knows exactly what she wants but is open to suggestions. By the end of the show we had bonded.

From the very beginning of the production we were constantly bouncing ideas off each other and this carried on up until the final night of the show.

I feel very comfortable working with her and hope to be involved in many other projects together.