Pretties take flight again

Barnaby Weir. Photo / Richard Robinson

It's been over two years since the Fly My Pretties collective last charmed audiences, and co-founder Barnaby Weir hopes fans will appreciate a new approach this time around.

While sticking to the formula of bringing a diverse range of New Zealand musical talent together to write, tour and record, the theatrical aspect of the third Pretties project has been changed along with the line-up.

A narration aspect is being introduced to the live shows, with well-known storyteller Dick Weir (Barnaby's father) taking up the role.

Barnaby Weir says the narrative will take audiences through the music, with illustrations from Kieran Rynhart providing the visual aspect of the shows.

"In the past we've had visual explorations with the Film Archive, we used lots of natural history footage, and that was the theme and back-drop."

"So there's a different creative direction in terms of the presentation of the music - the music is still the main part of course - and the main point is to explore some brand new material."

Weir, who had a busy 2008 with his band the Black Seeds, says it was important to have a new focus and different direction before committing to a new show.

"The point of the show is to have something original - some original talent and hopefully a slightly original way of presenting the talent."

Sixteen musicians are being tasked with contributing, and join Fly My Pretties from around the country, in a change from the Wellington-heavy line-ups of old.

Weir says some of the names will be familiar, but others, "solo acts and song-writers in their own right", might not be.

Some former Pretties were unable to commit to the project this time around, but new musicians showed plenty of enthusiasm.

"People are generally pretty keen to be involved, and know that what they add is kind of what makes it special.

"And at the same time it's cool to move on and get some other people in.

"Everyone has got an opportunity to write for it, and we just go from there and choose the best songs to make the best show.

"I'm sure there will be songs that don't make it - as there always are - but the majority of songs that people bring forward make it to the show."

He says while plans for the show are "riskier" this time around, the concept of providing something theatrical for audiences is the same.

The last Fly My Pretties tour was a hit with audiences in the larger, seated venues of main centres, and Weir has been keen to keep such projects as one-offs.

"We haven't used it as a money making took or milked it - I treat it as a special kind of event," he says.

Fly My Pretties have shows lined up next month for Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

Extra shows have already been added to the initial dates and Weir suggests there could be room to add more if that's what demand dictates.

As a commercial venture its likely to pay off, despite the logistics involved, but that's not the point, Weir says.

"It's not a huge commercial venture, but as an event it is quite big and complex..."

In terms of value for money, there shouldn't be any complaints from fans, with an hour and 20-minutes of new material to be followed by another 40-minutes of previous Fly My Pretties songs.

An album and DVD will also be recorded, with long-standing Fly My Pretties backers Loop Recordings on board again to manage the whole process.

The project also appears to have found a like-minded sponsorship backer in 42 Below.

Business and art doesn't always thrive together, but Weir says in this case both sides seem to be on the same wave-length.

"They're a really forward thinking group, but they're also creative in the way that they do promotions."

He says they've been flexible with their role in the live shows and it was refreshing to see they had plenty to offer creatively.

Weir is urging people to get to the shows and see what is on offer. "Hopefully we can blow you away with a new version of Fly My Pretties."

Fly My Pretties cast: Barnaby Weir, Anna Coddington, Eva Prowse, Jarney Murphy, L.A Mitchell, Lisa Tomlins, Mara T.K, Mike Fabulous, Nathan Hickey, Nigel Patterson, Paul McLaney, Riki Gooch, Rio Hunuki-Hemopo, Ryan Prebble, Tessa Rain, Tom Watson.

Show dates: Christchurch, May 22, Isaac Royal Theatre; Dunedin, May 29, The Regent; Auckland, June 4, 5 and 6, Sky City Theatre; Wellington, June 12 and 13, St James Theatre.

- NZPA