Theatre people here to talk
This weekend more than 250 musical theatre lovers will descend on Taranaki for the Musical Theatre New Zealand annual conference and training weekend, hosted by New Plymouth Operatic Society.
‘‘Just about every one of the nearly 100 community musical theatre societies in New Zealand will have delegates attending,’’ said New Plymouth Operatic president Kevin Landrigan. ’’Delegates come from as far north and Whangarei and as far south as Invercargill, and everywhere in between.’’
This year also represents New Plymouth Operatic’s 65th anniversary, with the conference held to coincide with those celebrations. Events will be held at the Plymouth Hotel, along with the TSB Showplace, and New Plymouth Operatic’s premises in King St.
The keynote speaker is New Zealand entertainment Jackie Clarke, who has turned a love of singing and a genuine gift of the gab into a stellar career in the performing arts. She’s a multi-talented entertainer who is completely at home on stage. Among the shows she has performed in are Anything Goes, Sweet Charity, Mum’s the Word, Little Shop of Horrors, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and Porgy and Bess.
Ms Clarke will also provide entertainment at the conference, along with Akina Edmonds, who starred as Deloris Van Cartier in the NPOS 2016 production of Sister Act, Jenny Bennett, Cameron Curd, Dinne Moeahu and more.
This will be a busy year for New Plymouth Operatic. Mary Poppins plays at the TSB Showplace right through the July school holidays this year, followed by the annual Christmas show at the Plymouth Hotel in December.