Gypsy life of flying fiddles

By BERNADETTE RAE

They dance the fandango, bounce on huge balls, high-kick and boogie - all the time playing what New Zealand cast member Jessica Hindin describes as "quite technical" music on their violins.

Barrage, the Canadian music and theatre extravaganza, which explores an eclectic repertoire of world music through their whimsical adventure show Vagabond Tales, sound amazing and looks exhausting but Hindin describes it as her dream job.

She joined the company in Ireland three years ago, and since then has travelled with the Barrage caravanserai through Scotland, England, Germany, Morocco and right through the United States.

"In the States we did 10 weeks straight on tour," she says. "We lived in a tour bus. We would go to sleep not just in one city, but in one climate - and wake up in a completely different one."

The gypsy life, with music, movement, hype and excitement at its heart, is one Hindin says she has trained for since she was a child.

She grew up in Waiwera, with parents who were both musicians and alternative life-stylers. She was home-schooled, which left more time for her music. "Dad used to hitch-hike with me from Waiwera into Auckland for my violin lessons," she says.

She also studied ballet for eight years and contemporary dance, too. While studying for her honours degree in performance violin at Auckland University she not only played with the Auckland Philharmonia but she also fiddled in Irish pub bands.

"You have to jump around a bit for that. That was the best training of all for Barrage."

It was while she was backpacking through Ireland three years ago, and still playing her fiddle in pubs, that she first heard of Barrage, and that they were looking to form a cast in Europe.

Hindin sent in her tape and was invited to Dublin for an audition. A month or two later and she was in the show.

"I love classical music, too, but I didn't really want to be in an orchestra. It is so serious. Barrage is so exciting and unique. I adore the variety.

"The show is always changing and I love changes."

At 25 years of age Hindin is aware that the job, like that of dancers, will have some physical limitations. "It is hard on the body. We have to take good care with that. We do yoga."

But in the meantime she is living her dream. "I feel really at home. There are 12 in the cast, plus crew and we really are like a closeknit family. We have such a good time together."

Performance

* What: Vagabond Tales: Barrage

* Where: The Civic

* When: Wed Oct 1-Sat Oct 4 7.30pm; matinee 2pm Sat Oct 4; Sun Oct 5 6pm