Visitors to Napier and locals are set to enjoy a six-month soiree of glamour and melodies from the Art Deco era courtesy of the arrival of a "beguiling flapper" from London.
Sharon Elizabeth, who has performed at previous Art Deco weekends under the stage name Forget-Me-Not, will be staging asummer season of shows as resident artist at the city's iconic Masonic Hotel.
Hotel director Neil Barber said he wanted to introduce a touch of glamour to the Art Deco landscape over the entire summer season, and the "Art Deco Showtimes" had been scheduled to take in what will be a record cruise ship season.
Morning and afternoon shows of about 70 minutes will be staged in the hotel's restored Med lounge each day a cruise ship is in Napier - although Mr Barber said the shows, featuring popular songs with a touch of grand opera and witty interludes, would be open to all.
The hotel's project event manager, Ann Barrar, said they wanted to support tourism in the city by offering people an authentic, almost daily, top-class deco experience.
"Locals can bring their out-of-town visitors and tour bus and cruise ship passengers will also benefit by these shows being on offer all summer long," she said.
Staff would be entering into the spirit of the showcase season, which will run from october 7 to April 7 by dressing in the Art Deco style.
