Press Release
2 April 2001
The Clown’s Birthday
WELLINGTON SINFONIA SCHOOLS CONCERTS FOR 2001
The Wellington Sinfonia has ‘struck oil’ with its 2001 schools’ concert presentation The Clown’s Birthday, a millennium
commission from the world-renowned children’s’ writer Margaret Mahy and film composer Peter Scholes who will conduct the
performances. The show features narrator Lloyd Scott, Fergus Aitkin (alias Mr Fungus) and members of the Deirdre Tarrant
Dance Theatre. Such has been the demand from schools, the Sinfonia has had to schedule an additional performance in
Wellington on 18 June, post House Full signs in Masterton - late-applicants in the Wairarapa are being offered access to
the dress rehearsal on 20 June as compensation - and the Palmerston North concert on 21 June is filling up fast
This special 50-minute symphonic play for primary school students has already been performed with great success in
Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua and Hamilton by the Auckland Philharmonia. Roger Lloyd, General Manager of the Wellington
Sinfonia said “we are delighted to be able to bring this great experience to schools in this part of the country and
very pleased at the overwhelming response”.
Bookings for the performances can only be made by schools directly to the Wellington Sinfonia. And will this runaway
success be a money-spinner for the Sinfonia: Roger Lloyd says “schools’ concerts don’t make money as each school pays
only a modest registration fee for its students. We have to rely on the generosity of funding organisations such as
Creative New Zealand, community trusts and sponsors to make these events possible”.
For further information contact Roger Lloyd
Tel:(04) 801 3882 Fax:(04) 801 3888 Email: rogerl@wellingtonsinfonia.co.nz