9 June 2005
Taranaki Festival Of The Arts Features Stunning Line Up
More than 250 international and New Zealand artists and performers feature in the line-up for the 2005 Taranaki Festival
of the Arts in July and August.
Theatre, contemporary music, fine music, choirs, literature, dance, visual arts, film, cabaret and even ice skating
combine in a programme of events which promises something for everyone.
The full programme was launched at the TSB Showplace in New Plymouth on Wednesday 1 June.
Performers for the festival hail from more than 10 different countries including Canada, England, Australia, South
Africa, Scotland, Belgium, Ireland, Austria, Italy and France, as well as a strong New Zealand programme.
Highlights of the 18-day festival, which runs from July 27 to August 14, include the internationally-acclaimed Soweto
Gospel Choir, hit circus act Cirque Eloize with Nomade – At night the sky is endless, stunning Scottish performer Eddi
Reader (ex Fairground Attraction), the incredible gypsy Kabaret performers from Australia Mikelangelo and the Black Sea
Gentlemen, the reunion of one of New Zealand’s most successful and longstanding Maori showbands, The Maori Volcanics,
and the acclaimed Vienna Boys Choir featuring The Combined School Choirs of New Plymouth.
Exclusive acts for the Taranaki event include two theatre performances by British actress Linda Marlowe, Berkoff’s Women
and No Fear, the world premiere of New Zealand dancer Raewyn Hill’s new work, We Are Gathered Here Today, the only New
Zealand recital by acclaimed New Zealand tenor Keith Lewis and renowned pianist Michael Houston, and Canadian-based
musicians H’Sao who draw on traditions from their country of origin, Chad;
The festival also features:
King and Country – a unique piece of national theatre about the experiences of ordinary New Zealanders in World War I
Acclaimed Auckland Theatre Company play The Bach
NZ International Comedy Festival hit Te Radar in Timor ODDyssey
Canadian play Lauchie, Liza and Rory
Australian 3D performance Sprung
New Zealand contemporary dance piece Terrain
The hilarious Sing-a-Long-a Sound of Music
The Brendan Power Group from Ireland and Australia
Canada’s Mauvais Sort
New Zealand’s own Goldenhorse
Jazz pianist and singer Brenda Earle of Canada
A festival dance party featuring New Zealand’s finest dance bands and DJs and including Pitch Black, Pacific Heights,
Kora and The WBC
Taranaki legends, Sticky Filth – 20 Years On
V8 Vocal Ensemble
The Taranaki Festival of the Arts has been held every two years since 1991, however this year, for the first time ever
the festival has been moved to winter allowing for alignment with Christchurch Arts Festival, Queensland Music Festival
and Adelaide Cabaret Festival.
Festival director Roger King says this means a number of acts can be shared between festivals, enabling an incredible
array of performers to come to Taranaki for this festival.
“This year’s festival features the strongest artistic line-up ever with international stars performing alongside the
crème of New Zealand talent.”
Adding to the festival atmosphere is the ultimate wintertime event – an ice rink in the centre of New Plymouth!
The Taranaki Festival of the Arts follows the sell-out success of WOMAD New Zealand 2005. Both events are organised by
the Taranaki Arts Festivals Trust.
“WOMAD was a huge success and really put Taranaki on the map as a festival city,” King says.
“We’re thrilled to bring another incredible line-up of performers to the region for the Taranaki Festival of the Arts.”
A major literary programme is also included within the festival and features a variety of well-known New Zealand
authors. Lunchtime concerts, visual arts exhibitions, a schools programme and regional Taranaki events also feature.
Tickets for the Taranaki Festival of the Arts go on sale through Ticketek at 9am Thursday 2 June and the full programme
is available online at www.artsfest.co.nz.
The Taranaki Festival of the Arts 2005 is funded and supported by the
following organisations;
CORE FUNDERS: New Plymouth District Council, Taranaki Electricity Trust
MAJOR FUNDING PARTNERS: TSB Community Trust, Creative NZ
GOLD SPONSORS: Hooker Pacific, Staples Rodway, The Zieltjes Family in
association with the Practical Education Institute
GOLD MEDIA SPONSORS: Classic Hits Taranaki, Taranaki Daily News, More FM
Taranaki
SILVER SPONSORS: Reeves Middleton Young, Clelands Construction Ltd, Price
Waterhouse Coopers, Transfield Worley Services, Plymouth International Hotel
BRONZE SPONSORS: Billings, Fuji Xerox, Swift Energy NZ Ltd, The Most FM,
Newstalk ZB, Westgate Transport Ltd, TSB Bank
FESTIVAL GRANTS: South Taranaki District Council, New Zealand Community
Trust, Venture Taranaki, Lion Foundation
ENDS