Letters: Ballet school show an absolute delight

Charlee Thornborough. Photo/Supplied

Looking at the array of photos on the walls of Anne Samson's School of Ballet Studio in Riri St of past productions involving the talent of the many dance students she has produced, I wondered if my almost 7-year-old daughter Charlee may get the opportunity to strut her stuff on stage one day.

Well on Saturday just gone (April 1) I got to see my littlest girl do just that in the production The Forgotten Glade at the Civic Theatre and it was fantastic.

Attending my very first ballet I was a very proud dad, with the obvious drawcard being my little Charlee giving her all with her fellow students, and she loved every second of it.

It was a bright and colourful affair, with beautiful backdrops, awesome props, and wonderfully designed and made costumes, all of which must have taken hours of work by willing volunteers.

The dancing was spectacular, although I think the show was stolen somewhat by the little ones aged from just 4-5 years and up who had the crowd in fits as they tried their utmost to remember their roles and moves at the right times. Just wonderful to watch.

Not taking anything away from the whole cast, the standard was extremely high right through the ages of the dancers to the late teens and beyond, all simply beautiful.

Well done to all involved in producing a lovely show, and special thumbs up to Anne Samson who epitomises professionalism. Co-ordinating the many dancers would have been a task and a half, but all taken in her stride with the aid of valuable helpers doing their bit to produce a spectacle for us all to see.

Thank you! Congratulations on a job well done!

KEVIN THORNBOROUGH
Rotorua

Rates rise predictable

All this fuss about the projected rise in rates! Goodness me don't the complainants realise that this year is not an election year. Rates are only held to a reasonable increase when the public can have a say in an election year.

At the last election Rotorua ratepayers had the choice of electing a team that was committed to rate increases not exceeding the annual inflation figure.

Instead the same long serving mob was returned with a few exceptions but without enough new committed individuals who would have ensured that we don't have to go through this rates charade on a three yearly cycle.

Call me a cynic but the increase was entirely predictable after the election results.

JOHN DYER
Lake Tarawera