This is (not) who we are - the show

The New Zealand Entertainment industry has come together in support of the families of the victims of the Christchurch massacre by putting on a Gala Variety Show in Auckland this Sunday 7th April.

Cliff Curtis, Sir Bob Parker, Jason Reeves, Sonia Gray, Suzanne Paul, Colin Mathura Jeffree, Geoff Sewell, Jay Laga’aia, Darryl Lovegrove, Lavina Williams, Deliah Hannah, James Nokise, Jarred Fell, Ali Harper, Tarun Mohanbhai, Becks Wright and Michael Murphy are just some of the stars who will be lining up on stage.

The idea of a Gala Variety Show incorporating the very best of NZ Entertainment is the brainchild of long time entertainment Producer Nigel Godfrey.

Mr Godfrey says he doesn’t live far from the Mt Roskill mosque in Auckland and instead of going to lay flowers he felt compelled to do a lot more for those suffering from this horrific attack.

“I felt sure a lot of my friends in this business felt the same way too and so started around 24 hours of phone calls and a decision to clear my diary for one month. By Sunday afternoon I knew that we could pull this event off,” he said.

“So this show is about those of us in the entertainment industry both on and off stage, in front and behind the camera, doing what we do best, to make a tangible difference for the victims and their families. “

“From the beginning I had but one rule, no one receives a cent for their services. No performers, individuals or companies are being paid a thing; not even their ‘parking’ is covered. Every cent donated/given, must reach the fund. There is no budget other than people’s time, talent and resources.”

“That ideal has been without doubt the greatest challenge of a 30 years career, I’m still dreading and looking for a way to feed the 100 or so people involved in the show on the day itself and if anyone would like to feed them then they can get in touch.

Mr Godfrey has produced a lot of TV over three decades, a couple of Telethons, New Zealand’s Biggest Variety Show, A Christmas in the Park, Travel and magazine Shows and Comedy … but he say “I have never worked for zero dollars and have never asked an entire crew to do the same. You certainly find out who your friends are … and I have to say I have found out that I have a large number of very good friends.”

“To be honest this show, when we pull it off, will be one of the proudest achievements of my career. Not as Producer, but simply as a kiwi who has managed to bring over 100 of the very best in the business together, to celebrate what they do, whilst remembering kiwis who we must never forget.”

According to Mr Godfrey this is not just a concert it will incorporate Comedy, Theatrical and TV Personalities and Celebrities in a way that is innovative and engaging.

The event is being held this Sunday 7th April at Sky City Theatre. Sky City has donated the theatre free of charge as has all of those involved in the production.

The public can by tickets through i-Ticket http://www.iticket.co.nz and all proceeds go to the families of the victims of Christchurch’s darkest day. All $49.00 tickets have been sold but there are others just as good available for this event

The word ‘not’ in our title is crossed out as we are using the PM’s extraordinary salient words, which she spoke on the day of the massacre, but we’ve paraphrased them to show the rest of the world ‘who WE are’, as The TV, Stage and Entertainment community.

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