EXCITED: The Art Deco Trust's festival director, Glen Pickering, says the team is already "well ahead" on sales. PHOTO FILE
EXCITED: The Art Deco Trust's festival director, Glen Pickering, says the team is already "well ahead" on sales. PHOTO FILE
The 2017 Tremains Art Deco Festival programme went on general public release on Monday and if initial sales to trust members is any indication people may have to get in quick for many of the top events.
"We are already well ahead on sales," Art Deco Trust festival director GlenPickering said. Tickets went on sale to trust members on September 28 and the response was immediate.
Mr Pickering said the Friday Night on the Masonic Balcony event quickly sold out and several other events were already sitting at about 70 per cent sold out.
"I have had phone calls from people in the US, the UK and Australia asking about events already."
He said the wider public now had their chance to check out all the events and order tickets in the wake of the new-look programme becoming available through the Art Deco offices, i-Site and council centres like the library.
Mr Pickering said the schedule of events and their staging had been polished up to make them more entertaining and "refreshing".
The familiar favourites were all there along with a string of new events, including a Vaudeville-style cabaret and the appearance of the acclaimed show Cole which is staged by Australian Helpmann Award winner Michael Griffiths and is a reflection of the colourful life of Cole Porter.
Mr Pickering said he first came across Mr Griffiths' show when he was directing the World Buskers Festival in Christchurch but had been unable to work it in to the packed schedule there.
After taking on the Art Deco festival director's role in June he thought "aha" and gave him a call.
"He is going to be doing an American tour and is flying from New York to Napier - and then back home to Australia."
Mr Pickering said it was all part of creating strong and appealing entertainment across the board.
He said the tweaking which had been carried out would make it a more "comfortable" event for locals and visitors to embrace and enjoy.
He said the navy would be playing an especially strong role during the 2017 festival as it would tie in with the 75th anniversary of the Royal New Zealand Navy. "It will be a big component of the festival."
