Festival celebrates colonial heyday with ‘Upstairs Downstairs’ theme
OAMARU is about to undergo its annual metamorphosis.
From November 14 to 18, the town will celebrate its colonial heyday with oldfashioned entertainments and people promenading in period costume.
With a variety of events tailored to the 2018 theme of Upstairs Downstairs and celebrating 150 years of suffrage in New Zealand, they vary from the everpopular Crombie & Price Victorian Garden Party and ‘‘A Suffrage Meeting’’, to the formal North Otago Temperance Benefit Ball.
Tickets are selling steadily to most events, with the ‘‘Upstairs’’ ball and its ‘‘Downstairs’’ equivalent, the ‘‘Servants’ Shindig & Shenanigans’’ at the Oamaru Club proving most popular. Everyone is urged to secure their tickets to avoid missing out on their favourite selections from the programme.
On the Thursday night, three events are being held. For the more refined lady, ‘‘Let’s make a Hat’’ gives the opportunity to learn the art of millinery. ‘‘A Suffrage Meeting with Entertainment’’ will have stories of local suffrage heroines and heroes as well as a visit from the esteemed Richard Seddon. The final event of the evening is the more risque´
Gentleman’s Relish, with performances from The Lads on Tour Burlesque and Circus troupe.
For those with gourmet tastes, ‘‘Victorian Banquet — a pleasant social affair’’ is being held at Penybryn Lodge, where gastrophiles shall partake in a banquet of 11 courses. These have been prepared with attention to original recipes. You can expect to enjoy the ambience of a fine welcome in Oamaru’s most prestigious home.
The ‘‘Historical Fashion Show’’ is returning to the celebrations after being absent for the past couple of years. Discover the changes of Victorian fashion throughout the years as well as the differences in clothing for ‘‘Upstairs’’ and ‘‘Downstairs’’. Those wishing to participate in the show, either in homemade, bought, or hired outfits, should register by November 10.
Those wanting to dress in Victorian costumes will have an astonishing array to choose from at the Victorian Wardrobe in Harbour St, with many people acquiring their ensembles already.