NZ Festival News - Issue 2

NZ Festival News - Issue 2

NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL
27 February - 21 March 2004

In this issue:
* Win tickets to the stunning new ballet FOI [Faith]
* Top conductor for The Blue Planet Live!
* Top UK award for Festival director
* Flight of the Conchords touch down
* Put the Festival into this Festive season

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Nau mai haere mai, talofa and greetings to you all Isn't Wellington a great city? We have seen the spirit of Wellingtonians over the last week with the premier of Lord of the Rings. This town knows how to party and how to smile. We know that Wellingtonians will show the same spirit when we welcome visitors to the Festival next year. Premiere fever is over, summer is making an appearance and Christmas is almost upon us. It's time to think ahead.

Things are moving up a gear as we face the reality of all that still needs to be done. The workshop has started to build the set for the Telecom opera, the Elixir of Love, auditions for Hone Kouka's the Prophet took place over the weekend and director Colin McColl returns next week for a workshop with the cast and creative team of Quartet. I have heard a rumour that David Long, ex Muttonbirds, has almost finished his first major work for Velocities II. Final contracts are being couriered around the world for artists to sign, flights and hotel bookings are being double checked, a hundred event programmes are being written and the technical department is full steam ahead checking floors for flamenco, hiring big screens from overseas for Blue Planet Live! and securing sound equipment for legends like Gilberto Gil and Abdullah Ibrahim who need the best that money can hire.

Some days we feel that we don't have time to breathe here, but we will make it. We need you all to be there with us next year, so make sure you get your tickets to those shows you want to attend. And don't forget - give an experience for Christmas - we know that experiences last a lifetime.

Carla van Zon, Artistic Director

David Inns, Chief Executive

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POWER CONDUCTOR

Robert Ziegler has been confirmed to conduct The Blue Planet Live! at Westpac Stadium. Ziegler has conducted many of the world's great orchestras, written and directed numerous film and TV scores and worked with the likes of Deborah Harry and Stewart Copeland (The Police). The whales won't be the only big drawcard at The Blue Planet Live! http://www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz/home/page.aspx?page_id=12

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TOP AWARD FOR FESTIVAL DIRECTOR

Polly Teale, who will direct the 2004 Festival season of After Mrs Rochester, has won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Director. The award tops a long list of accolades for the show which comes direct from a highly successful West End season. http://www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz/home/page.aspx?page_id=4

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PUT THE FESTIVAL INTO THIS FESTIVE SEASON

He's got more than enough socks and she's got shortbread left over from last year. This Christmas give your friends and family an experience they will love and remember. From ballet to rock and everything in between, the 2004 programme really does have something for everyone. Add to that the two months of excitement waiting for the Festival to start and you've finally found the gift that keeps on giving!

You won't even need to negotiate the pre-Christmas traffic. Browse the programme and book tickets on the Festival website. http://www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz

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SKITTING IN THEIR OWN NEST

Direct from their recent Perrier Award nomination in Edinburgh, New Zealand's 'foremost digi-bongo-acapella-rap-influenced guitar-based bongo-funk folk band' are back! Flight of the Conchords have been tickling audiences around the world with their fresh brand of musical madness and were named best newcomers at the 2003 Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Catch them before they fly again along with a selection of Britain's finest stand-up talent at The Best of the Fest. http://www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz/home/page.aspx?page_id=20

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HAVE FAITH IN YOUR WINNING POWER!

Congatulations to Sara Webb of Christchurch, who last week won Lyle Lovett tickets for correctly naming TV3 as the sponsor of Lyle's Festival concert.

This week we offer you the chance to win two A-reserve tickets to the ballet FOI (Faith) at the Opera House. Choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and with music by Capilla Flamenca, the performance has rocked audiences overseas. 'The cast are extraordinary, reckless and compelling ... it cuts disturbingly close to the bones of our current situation' GUARDIAN,UK

To go in the draw simply reply to this email with the answer to the following question in the subject line:

Who is the sponsor of the 2004 Festival season of FOI [Faith]?

You'll find the answer to this and other competitions on the Festival website

http://www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz

Conditions of entry: 1. Open to New Zealand residents except employees of New Zealand International Arts Festival and its sponsors. 2. The competition ends on 28 November 2003 and the first correct entry drawn randomly after then will receive the prize. The winner will be notified by email. 3. The judge's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. 4. The prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash. 5. Entries become the property of The New Zealand International Arts Festival and may be used for promotional purposes.

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NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL

27 February - 21 March 2004

http://www.nzfestival.telecom.co.nz

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