Next generation of performers

Poster for New Zealand exhibition in Paris. PICTURE / JOAN STREET

JOAN: This was an incredibly fantastic show! What was? Why, the Sunday evening performance of Toyland and A Christmas Tale, of course, created, designed, produced and presented by the Shirley McDouall School of Dance at our fine Opera House.

It was a hot, very hot evening, a packed out theatre and, among proud parents and grandparents, were an awful lot of young children, excited for their siblings no doubt, but obliged to pay attention for more than two hours. There was no rushing out to the loo, shuffling about, talking loudly or leaving the building ... because this performance offered the true magic of theatre and they were spellbound. We all were!

This performance consisted of clever sets, props and lighting, costumes to die for and music totally evocative of the mood on stage. Energy and delight in their work never faltered. The stories portrayed were captivating and paced to perfection. None of this would have come to such marvellous fruition if each and every one of the performers had not offered skill and total dedication to their part in it.

Sometimes the need to involve every student in a show leads to tedium and a forced repertoire. Not tonight! Every student had presence, understanding of characterisation, awareness of the need to 'play' the audience and enough rehearsal time, commitment and downright determination to offer their very best for the delighted audience.

The tinies are always a joy as they wave to mum or look, glazed eyed, about them or simply stop dead midstream. They are the future, however, and something of the tradition and self-discipline rubs off on them and they progress onwards to be a slick, sharp group of elves, a Christmas Carol Tapper, an amazing Jack and Jill. Further time at this renowned school brings students more awareness of interpreting the music, as did the gypsies, perfectly synchronised soldiers, spirits past, present and future in the ambitious and superbly choreographed interpretation of A Christmas Carol.
Not a move out of place, not a step wrong, exhilarating and moving. I glanced around often and never saw a dad wishing he was elsewhere or a child not totally held by colour, special moments and a story so well expressed through the understanding offered to us by dance.

I want, here, to mention the 'lads' involved and the number of them has certainly increased! I have always recognised what athleticism is required to be a male dancer. These boys were mature, strong in performance and so necessary. Great!

I need to mention those who have progressed even further in their art, have been so well tutored in what this skill requires and the rewards that years of study brings. To this has been added a certain natural style and interpretation. May I congratulate Connor Jenkins for his ability, character creation and finesse in dancing with more than one student to create the roles he played so perfectly, and he never stopped being in character! Nor did the breathtaking Leila Collinson and Leah Aiona whose performances were acclaimed by the audience and rightly so. They have a future ahead of them! Stunning too were Anna Durning, Niamh Hogan and Makenzie Tate and may I acknowledge my 'soft spot' for Humpty Dumpty Adelaide Hodges, and Phoebe Dobie as Jill who played their parts from entry to exit with aplomb!

I acknowledge Shirley whose touch and devotion remain as a shining star. I congratulate and humbly admire the work, skill and dedication that principal Melissa Tate, and teachers Olivia Reuters and Katelyn Kowalsky (love your choice of music!) have brought to this wonderful evening.
The school is in good hands and Whanganui must applaud all involved and feel proud. Thank you for a very special occasion.

MIKE: Last week Joan mentioned how proud we felt when we saw Lisa Reihana's Emissaries, the New Zealand entry in this year's Venice Biennale. As we were having a coffee afterwards, we heard a comment from a group of French people, "La Nouvelle Zelande est superbe!" No need for a translation! Wonderful to hear! That theme of pride in our country reminds me of our week in Paris, when, at the suggestion of Des Bovey, we visited the Musee du Quai Branly. Opened in 2006, this museum is a repository of non-western art, displaying instead collections from Asia, the Americas, Oceania and Africa. In the latter category were many Mnkisi, the gruesomely scary statues, bristling with nails, similar to those in Des' personal collection, on show not long ago at the Whanganui Museum. It was interesting too to come across several items from the Pacific Islands, also familiar to us.

But the icing on the cake was the special exhibition advertised at the entrance, The Sacred Stone of the Maori. Organised and presented by Te Papa and Ngai Tahu, it gave a full explanation of 'pounamu', where it was found, how it was worked (excellent videos) to create mere, pendants, hei tiki and other objects and its significance to the Maori people.
To walk into a world class museum and be greeted by this exhibition from home was a thrilling and quite emotional moment. And it was attracting a large number of viewers.

JOAN: Mike and I attended and enjoyed Schola Sacra's final concert for the year last Saturday. A very full and interesting programme mentioned Lesley Bardsley, Helen Maclean and Leith Power as being the three remaining original members of this prestigious choir. I can reassure all three that this should not have made them feel old! Each one of them delighted with their fine voices as featured soloists and, indeed, Lesley both wrote the music and conducted the choir in Mary's Song, her arrangement of the Magnificat.

A concert consisting only of Christmas themes is not an easy ask but there was huge variety of sources and languages included in the choice of music. I always enjoy Roy Tankersley's enthusiastic leadership at his concerts and I very much liked his decision to feature solo parts featuring many members of the choir. It was a pleasure to admire the individual voices as well as to enjoy the whole choir's harmony and fervour.

The Youth Choir gets better and better. Again, an excellent choice of music for them to enjoy and they also blended well with the adults in chosen items. The freshness of their youthful presence brought delight to their audience.

The Christmas Season began for me last Saturday in Christ Church. After the rather wearisome commercial adverts for this time of the year, it was so good to feel the true sense of what Christmas means as the choir offered words and music of today and of yesteryear and the hope that such a message brings.

JOAN: The lovely Stu at Yellow House has grown a fine beard. If he could just get more hair to grow on the top of his head he would come a close second to Prince Harry.
mjstreet@xtra.co.nz