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SchoolFestTheatreBattalion - Special Schools' performances
Jim Moriarty directs a passionate and talented cast of young New Zealanders in a moving story about friendship, loyalty, madness and redemption. Based on the memories of a World War II Māori Battalion veteran and his relationship with two wayward teenagers, this performance will both inspire and educate. More infoDJ Spooky's Rebirth of a Nation
An infamous 1915 film gets a 21st century makeover in the latest project from NY-based DJ Spooky. Using the same techniques he applies to audio, DJ Spooky ‘remixes’ DW Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation on three giant screens, adding new and borrowed imagery along with a live audio mix of strings, hip-hop and blues. Suitability: Year 9-13 More infoKing and Country
King and Country is a powerful and evocative drama based on the personal accounts of New Zealanders during World War I. Stories of Māori and Pakeha soldiers, nurses and civilians are interwoven with treasured New Zealand war songs and hymns, sung to the accompaniment of a live brass band. More infoPage 8
An exuberant and moving celebration of personal identity and family, Page 8 follows the rollercoaster ride of Aboriginal composer David Page’s early years. Music, Super-8 home movies and drag reveal a life filled with both love and heartache, from his humble beginnings as the eighth of twelve Page children in a suburban housing estate to his rise and fall as a child star, and finally to his ‘coming out’ as a young adult. Suitability: Year 11-13 More infoThe Clemenger BBDO Season of Super Vision
From the moment we are born, a cyber composite of ourselves begins to take shape, growing stronger with each library book borrowed, email written, and prescription filled. Post 9/11, we’ve come to accept, allow and even encourage these subtle and unseen forms of surveillance. Super Vision uses the language and technologies of surveillance itself to create a multi-layered story of life in the digital age. Suitability: Year 11-13 More infoThe Holy Sinner
A New Zealand play hailed in 1990 as “the most extraordinary piece of theatre in recent memory” returns, revamped and more amazing than ever. The Holy Sinner is an epic tale of nobility falling from grace, filled with lies, deception, guilt, discovery and exultant transformation. The involvement of some of New Zealand’s top performers and designers guarantees that the experience will be awe-inspiring and visually stunning. Suitability: Year 12-13 More infoThe Lexus Season of The History Boys
Winner of three prestigious Laurence Olivier Awards, The History Boys follows a group of bright but unruly sixth form boys in the pursuit of sex, sport and a place at university. Richard Griffith (Harry Potter) stars as maverick English teacher Hector in this stimulating celebration of the joys of language, intellectual exploration and inspirational educators. Suitability: Year 12-13 More infoThe Telecom Season of Eraritjaritjaka
The hit of the 2004 Edinburgh International Festival, Eraritjaritjaka is an intriguing piece of European theatre from one of Germany’s leading directors, Heiner Goebbels. The sole actor is joined on stage by the superb Mondriaan Quartet, while real-time video manipulates the audience’s experience of time and space. Suitability: Year 11-13 More infoThe TV3 Season of Tristan & Yseult
Cornwall’s “oldest and greatest story” is brought crashing into the 21st century in Kneehigh Theatre’s fresh and inventive take on Tristan & Yseult. Writers throughout the ages have been drawn to this tragic tale, and Kneehigh’s eccentric, high-energy version comes complete with a live jazz band and comic chorus of Cornish ‘lovespotters’ in balaclavas. Suitability: Year 9-13 More infoDanceAarero Stone: Two Solos in a Performance Landscape
Comprising two solo performances, Aarero Stone is an interdisciplinary collaboration between choreographer Carol Brown, performance artist Charles Koroneho and designer Dorita Hannah. In this compelling new New Zealand work, strands of Maori ancestral stories and European mythologies are woven together as the stone and digital ages collide. Suitability: Year 9-13 More infoAterballetto
Italy’s leading contemporary ballet company fuses accomplished classical technique with an Italian zest for life. Aterballetto will present a stunning triple bill of works, including a moving personal tribute to Bach, and Cantata – a passionate celebration of the vibrant and gritty street life of Naples. Suitability: Year 9-13 More infoEva
Eva Yerbabuena has been acclaimed by many as the most important flamenco artist working today, and has been lauded for both the purity of her work and power of her spirit. With her company of six dancers and seven musicians, the ‘first lady of flamenco’ will present a night of sultry and soul-piercing dance. Suitability: Year 7-13 More infoMusicDJ Spooky's Rebirth of a Nation
An infamous 1915 film gets a 21st century makeover in the latest project from NY-based DJ Spooky. Using the same techniques he applies to audio, DJ Spooky ‘remixes’ DW Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation on three giant screens, adding new and borrowed imagery along with a live audio mix of strings, hip-hop and blues. Suitability: Year 9-13 More infoTea: A Mirror of Soul
Oscar-winning composer Tan Dun returns to conduct the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra in a sumptuous modern opera, Tea: A Mirror of Soul. Sung in English, the enchanting libretto follows the ill-fated love story of a Chinese princess and Japanese monk. Suitability: Year 7-13 More infoTuwhare
In this special concert, a selection of top recording artists from around the country bring music to the words of renowned and much-loved New Zealand writer Hone Tuwhare, capturing the diversity in both his writing and New Zealand music. Artists for the 1 hour Schools performance include Don McGlashan, Te Kupu and strawpeople. Suitability: Year 7-13 More infoZeibekiko
New Zealand composer John Psathas explores his ancestral roots in a programme inspired by 2,500 years of Greek music. Psathas received international exposure as one of the composers for the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens. New Zealand contemporary music ensemble Stroma and guest musicians from Greece feature in this special performance. Suitability: Year 7-13 More infoThe National Bank Festival ClubAntonio Forcione Quartet
Performing with a talented group of musicians from around the world, Italian-born Antonio Forcione pushes the boundaries of modern guitar playing styles, whether it be jazz, Spanish or Brazilian. One of the most charismatic and inventive performers to come out of Europe in recent years, he is not content to excel only in straight music but also loves to explores the realm of music comedy. Suitability: Year 5-13 More infoJames Campbell's Comedy 4 Kids
The UK's favourite stand-up comedian for children covers everything from parents to Playstations, why we have hair and what we have for breakfast. Campbell is successful because he understands children respond to someone who's not patronising or ingratiating. Top quality stuff for anyone who likes comedy without rude words. And there might even be an otter - but probably not. More infoTOWER NZ Youth Choir
Acclaimed by audiences throughout New Zealand and the world, this is an opportunity to see the best of New Zealand’s young singers in action. In a programme that includes the lush sounds of Rachmaninov, the individual voice of contemporary American composer Erik Whitacre and the colours of New Zealand, this promises to be a concert of energy and enjoyment. Suitability: Year 5-13 More infoNew Zealand Post Writers and Readers WeekPoetry
Join leading UK poet Simon Armitage and New Zealand poets James Brown and Tusiata Avia as they read, perform and talk about poetry. All three are exceptional performers with a flair for connecting with a student audience, and Simon Armitage’s poetry is part of the UK school curriculum. This will be an energetic and interactive session. More infoScience
Just who are the mutants? Are we all mutants? Scientist and writer Armand Marie Leroi talks about biology and genetics in this riveting session chaired by teacher and writer Bernard Beckett. Leroi is a New Zealand-born Dutch scientist based in London, where he is engaged in the exciting search for genetic knowledge. More infoScriptwriting
Preparing text for the stage or screen is a special skill and we’re lucky to have three of New Zealand’s best talking about it with students. Bro Town’s Oscar Kightley and Dave Armstrong (who also scripted the Festival show King and Country) join playwright Briar Grace-Smith to share their secrets. More infoYoung Adult Fiction
Shaun Tan is young, Australian and a boundary-breaker. His sophisticated picture books connect with children, teenagers and adults alike and have won him prizes, praise and cult status. In this special session he talks to Kate De Goldi. More infoVisual ArtsEarth from Above
Proudly supported by SKYCITY the EARTH FROM ABOVE exhibition is a spectacular presentation of large scale photographs of natural landscapes created by world famous photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Exhibition is open free to the public 24 hours a day until 9 April 2006. Information centre and DVD showing is open to the public 10am - 6pm daily until 9 April. More infoWorkshopsAs Physical As It Gets
Talented director/choreographer Sara Brodie (NZ) will explore different aspects of physical theatre – choreographic, visual, expressive, narrative and comedic – and develop performance material with the students in relation to James Thiérrée’s Bright Abyss. Students will then tour the set, meet with company, and learn about James’s education in all facets of physical theatre and circus. They will also get an exclusive opportunity to see the show. More infoBattalion Workshop
Jim Moriarty and the Te Rakau Trust offer a workshop for classes to participate in after seeing Battalion. It will draw on the themes in the play and reinforce students’ understanding of the elements and conventions of drama. This will give them a successful experience of devising and presenting dramatic pieces of their own, as well as methods of strengthening personal identity and self-worth. More infoCreative Writing with Kate de Goldi
Kate will guide students in sourcing ideas, becoming hyper-observant, and metaphor, the guided missile in the writer's arsenal – be prepared to write hard for two days! More infoDance for the Day
Last year’s dance workshop was so successful that we’re doing another. Join Italy’s leading contemporary ballet company Aterballetto in a technique and repertory class – meet the company, see them at work and stay for the performance. More infoDirector's Cut
Kneehigh Theatre director Emma Rice and other members of the company share insights into their acclaimed production, Tristan & Yseult. Students will spend an intensive day on the creative palette of devising – narrative, music, image and music – in practical ensemble sessions, touring the set and seeing the show. More infoFlying High
While no one will miss the huge Les Art Sauts dome in Waitangi Park during the Festival, very few will get a sneak-peek inside when the lights are off and it’s business as usual. Go ‘behind the scenes’ and watch the performers practising, hear a talk about the set and the ‘nuts and bolts’ behind the performance, then see it all come to life in a performance that night. A unique opportunity to spend an afternoon with an inspiring company. More infoMad for Multimedia
The involvement of sophisticated technology in theatre is becoming more and more prevalent. This workshop is for the techno-heads in your class – the ones who have an interest in creating on the computer. They’ll learn how technical talents are being utilised in the arts, hear from Marianne Weems (director of Super Vision) and hang out with technicians from multi-disciplinary studio dbox. More infoMeet the Composers
The Festival is presenting a number of works by living composers in the 2006 programme. Join tutors from the combined talent pool of the New Zealand School of Music to discuss each score, sit in on a rehearsal and meet the composer for an insightful and inspirational Q & A session afterwards. More infoThe Art of Composition
One of New Zealand’s finest and most original songwriter/composers, with five entries in APRA’s ‘Top 100 Songs of All Time’, Don McGlashan (The Front Lawn, The Mutton Birds) offers a unique opportunity for students interested in music composition and song writing. Students will see Tuwhare in the afternoon. More info |