Te Wiata revels in new comedy role

Rima Te Wiata has taken the reins directing the Blue Baths Comedy Cabaret.

For years Rima Te Wiata's entertained audiences across the country - now she's stepped behind the scenes for the Blue Baths' wonderful and whimsical Comedy Cabaret.

With an acting career spanning more than 35 years, Te Wiata has become much loved by New Zealand audiences, having played roles from a sassy showgirl, a 70-year-old Scottish grandmother to a female pope.

Recently, Te Wiata, the daughter of actress Beryl Te Wiata and opera star Inia Te Wiata, starred as the well-intentioned mum in cult Kiwi horror flick Housebound.

But for the past month she's decided to step away from centre stage and into a directing role for the Blue Baths Comedy Cabaret - It's A Quack Up.

Te Wiata said people wouldn't believe that the cast have been rehearsing for just four weeks as the show had such a high professional standard.

"I'm just amazed by it all. It's been so rewarding, especially watching the cast develop their already exceptional talent even further in such a short period of time. That has certainly been a highlight for me."

One of the challenges of the show was trying to weave the storyline together with the singing and dancing, something which sometimes could be difficult. However, she was thrilled with the result and said audiences had been responding well.

The show was set in 1933 at Rotorua's iconic Blue Baths, so to see it there was a special experience, she said.

"It would just be so nice to see as many people as possible watch the show, even if they're from out of town. There's no other venue like it."

*The Blue Baths Comedy Cabaret - It's A Quack Up runs Mon-Sat 8pm and on Sundays at 4pm until February 20. Tickets from www.bluebaths.co.nz or (07) 350 2119.