JOAN: It is always special to see young dancers perform with that certain magic that signals a future of promise. So it was for me last Saturday at Collegiate Auditorium when I attended the first performance of The Little Mermaid, presented by the Wanganui Ballet and Dance Academy.
I loved the
work of Abbi Nevill as the bad witch Ursula. She portrayed her character perfectly and danced with her whole body, mind and heart, a joy to watch. Ariel was played by Trinity Taylor-Moore. This was a most important role and she fulfilled its heavy demands. I was not surprised to read that Trinity is a member of the New Zealand School of Dance Scholars' Programme for the second year running.
Annabel McMahon is now a Level 4 Scholar at the school. I never really enjoy seeing any female dancer having to take on a male role and Annabel, though dancing so well, did not seem to relax into her role. I much preferred to watch her in her solo amongst the early items in the programme, where she was at ease and excelled.
This five item opening to the show demonstrated the styles of dancing taught at the school and were nicely done. Josh Chandulai-Mackay has entertained me in each role I have seen him portray. Today he shone with his dancing and characterisation as he brought the whole story together with skill and energy. He was great!
Well done to the other solo dancers who were all strong and accurate in the parts they played. I need to, also, compliment the adult dancers who are such a noticeable part of this school. Hanging On was a definite misnomer for their featured dance! They are a fine example of enjoyment and talent.
It is so satisfying to see boys in the programme. Each young lad attracted my attention through their concentration and, indeed, ability. Male dancers are stronger and more lithe than any athlete. (Black Grace is the company I most admire, where male dancers are quite amazing in the work that they produce.) Keep going, boys!
The story is well-known and was able to accommodate everyone attending the school. This can never be an easy task and I am always impressed by the choreography invoked to give each child the chance to gain the audience's focus even if just for a short while. All the different ranges of ability and milieu of dance were given expression, whether by mermaids, sea creatures or pirates! Each of the younger performers knew exactly what their routine involved and even if they didn't always achieve perfection, their commitment was there throughout. As always, the little ones lacked any sign of stage fright and especially loved the recognition of proud families and friends.
My favourite set piece would have to be Under the Sea with all its colour and vitality, but each pattern of performance was worthy of the applause it received.
Well done to all the backstage people, costumes, lighting and staging all worked to add dimension to the performers. An excellent afternoon.
JOAN: The launching of Dame Tariana Turia's biography, Crossing the Floor, at the Sarjeant was a moving event. Dame Tariana is a most beautiful woman, her face is full of wisdom, warmth, love and knowledge. Surrounded by her whanau and many distinguished members of Maoridom, she was honoured by all of us there. Annette Main, our mayor, and Tariana's biographer and friend, Helen Leahy, spoke about her with so much affection and respect.
Tariana, herself, replied quietly and with total humility, praising others not herself. She is truly our noble taonga. I loved the way that she thanked Chester Borrows for his personal support of her in Parliament, a friend in opposition! When the whanau acknowledged each speaker with their glorious waiata, they expressed so much aroha, pride and dignity, that of Maoridom and their beloved kuia. It was an honour to be present and I was not surprised to see Mike shed tears during certain moments.
MIKE: One evening last week, when Freeview channels were all saturated with the usual mind-numbing reality pap, we decided instead to find a film on our recorded list. From late last year came Umbrella Man, released early in 2015, but about which we had heard nothing at all. It was amazing! An incredibly challenging, sensitive, at times depressing film , made by the Maori Company, Tenati Films, which consists of some extremely experienced local film makers.
The film, beautifully shot and edited with exceptional accompanying music, followed the fortunes of a young teenager who, on having to leave his foster home, headed for Auckland, to live on the streets.
In recent weeks there have been discussions in the media about the problems of beggars in Wellington and Auckland. Some, I'm sure, will be bludgers, but many more won't be, and are merely trying to see their way through to a future that will be less bleak than their present circumstances. This was reflected in the film.
Down and out, self respect rapidly evaporating, and forced to obtain food by whatever means he could to avoid starvation, the young man is befriended by an older Maori, who, despite living rough, has maintained a certain dignity in his daily life.
Strongly featured in the story is a group of thugs who employ standover tactics to rob the beggars of whatever they have received. There was tension and sadness in their interaction but a triumph of spirit for both the old man and the youngster that he befriended at the film's conclusion.
The acting was excellent, the main characters well drawn and the story line interesting. We both recommend the film to you. Umbrella Man has its own Facebook page.
JOAN: Whanganui's position as a Top7 Intelligent Community was marked by the visit to the city of John Jung, co-founder of The Intelligent Community Forum, a worldwide, non-profit organisation.
Each year more than 400 communities worldwide, large and small, apply for this status. We are honoured to have been chosen, having embraced fibre broadband as a means of developing as a city. Mr Jung was checking us out to see how we are progressing! He spoke at a public meeting last week and acknowledged our strengths as a city and our strong desire to see tourism, industry, jobs and community life increase and for the better. I admired the man's ideas and ideals. He reminded us that we have an advance on many areas, nationally and internationally, because of our fibre broadband availability in this field.
I, however, could not help but want to say to him, as he suggested means of self-improvement for Whanganui, that we are already progressing so many of his suggestions. We have clever, artistic people in this community and a lot of desire to make fibre our means of communicating this to the world. The mayor mentioned some of the new industries that are opening up here. Houses are selling faster and our presence in the world is becoming better known.
My biggest anxiety, shared by many in the city I believe, is the frustration and anger roused in those of us who have had very bad experiences with both Vodafone and Spark in attempting to lead fibre into our homes. How can this be changed?
JOAN: The paintings by Pauline Neilson, at present lining the walls of the Yellow House Cafe, are tremendous. I invite you to go in there and look at them whilst having an excellent coffee or meal.
Comments or ideas to mjstreet@xtra.co.nz
BIOGRAPHY: At the launch of Crossing the Floor by Helen Leahy are (from left) Lesley Stead (Paige's Book Gallery), Helen Leahy and Tariana Turia. PICTURE / NATALIE SIXTUS
JOAN: It is always special to see young dancers perform with that certain magic that signals a future of promise. So it was for me last Saturday at Collegiate Auditorium when I attended the first performance of The Little Mermaid, presented by the Wanganui Ballet and Dance Academy.
I loved the
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