Anei Matou — This is us

HE WAS TROUBLE: Theatre lighting technician Tim McAneney reprises his role as ribbon cutter at Central School’s opening in 1975 in the school’s dance/drama production Anei Matou (This is us). The show tells the history of the school and features McAneney in a dramatic comeback. Picture by Paul Rickard

A history of Central School is the subject of a play to be performed by the school’s 430 students next week.

Called Anei Matou (This is us), the dance/drama work is divided into various periods, from the 1872 opening of the original Central School in Derby Street to the opening in 1975 of the new school in Central Street, Whataupoko, to the present day. To mark the progression through the centuries and decades the show includes music such as a Maori Battalion song and Bill Haley & His Comets’ 1955 hit Rock Around The Clock.

The production is directed by Susan Vorster and Jerram Fielder and includes two puppet narrators — navigators James Cook and Kiwa.

Making a special appearance in the show is lighting technician Tim McAneney who cut the ribbon at the opening of the Central Street Central School in 1975. As seen in the black and white pictures in the gallery above, McAneney managed to wrap some of the ribbon around his face.

“We thought it would be a nice link to have him in the show,” says Fielder.

“One of the characters says ‘Remember little Timmy McAneney? He was trouble.’

“He’s never been out of character.”

Anei Matou (This is us), War Memorial Theatre, 6.30pm, September 19-20. A matinee will also be held on September 19 at 11am.