Media release: October 19, 2006
International performers bound for Wellington…
Capital E launches 2007 National Arts Festival programme
It’s back! The award-winning Capital E National Arts Festival will once again blast Wellington with its colour,
creativity and fun. New Zealand’s biggest arts festival for children will present another incredible line-up of
international and local professional performers, 12-24 March 2007.
40,000 programmes will be launched to the Wellington region this week, with further distribution and promotional
material sent to schools nationwide. Copies will be readily available from cafes, venues and family events throughout
the city or from Capital E, ph 04 913 3720, capitalefestival@wmt.org.nz
The programme is amazing, with professional acts from Australia, North America and Asia as well as the pick of New
Zealand talent and creativity. With five world premieres, the third biennial Capital E National Arts Festival promises
to be diverse, bizarre, inspiring, unique and a frenzy of fun! It’s a celebration of performing arts of the highest
calibre, especially developed for children and their families. Here are some highlights:
- Australian Linsey Pollak creates music from a bicycle in his brilliant show Cycology! World-renowned for making music
from carrots, chairs and even blow-up frogs.
- Native American Kevin Locke presents Hoop of Life. His spectacular mastery of Lakota Sioux hoop dancing and
award-winning traditional flute playing is captivating.
- Sharon, Keep Ya Hair On from Patch Theatre Company in Australia is based on Gillian Rubinstein’s books. It’s a
fully-fledged rock musical using a high-energy mix of live music and song, multimedia, wondrous gadgetry and plenty of
audience participation.
- Wellington’s Ake Ake Theatre Company brand new show Ship Song looks at migration; it’s a universal tale of crossing
over, characters fly high and slither low as they tell of their ocean journeys.
- Spinning Mountain is a new production from Capital E National Theatre for Children in collaboration with international
and local artists. Original music performed live by acclaimed composers Gareth Farr and I Wayan Gde Yudane.
- The Animal Undie Ball combines contemporary dance with one of New Zealand’s most popular children’s books by renowned
author Ruth Paul. A toe tapping, hip swinging, hands clapping great time from the Java Dance Company.
- The Green Sheep from Australia’s Windmill Performing Arts is set in an interactive environment inspired by Mem Fox's
award-winning book. Children will join in the search for the elusive Green Sheep.
- Internationally acclaimed puppeteer, Rebekah Wild, brings the classic, Celtic tale of The Selkie Bride to New Zealand
for the first time.
Plus there’s more… watch out for Richard Nunns, Footnote Dance Company, Free Family Events in Civic Square, The Dominion
Post Create-It Carnival and GlobalFest.
ENDS
www.capitale.org.nz