Celebration of youth talent at Fringe
Teenagers from Takaka to Nelson are taking part in the Nelson Fringe Festival this year.
Fringe director Laura Irish says it’s inspiring to see young people getting involved.
‘‘It takes a lot of skill to participate in a live performance, let alone in a festival the size of the Nelson Fringe,’’ Irish says.
‘‘We’re excited to see what they bring to the festival.’’
The five youth shows couldn’t be more different. Sacrifice, by Nelson’s Split Atom Theatre, is about teenagers who are rejected by their mother so that her new man can move in.
‘‘Shirl is unaware that there is anything wrong in her relationship,’’ says director Gaelynne Pound. ‘‘Domestic violence occurs across all social stratas and ethnicities.’’
Striking a lighter note, When? by Gabbie Emerson explores the phenomenon of waiting.
‘‘Nerves jangling for the first day of school, news in a hospital waiting room; the reactions are similar,’’ says Emerson.
In contrast, Hear. Me. by Dawn Marron, tells the confrontational true stories of what it means to be a girl growing up today.
Marron asks: ’’Is it true that women receive exactly the same treatment as men in society? This piece of theatre allows girls to speak their truths.’’
Takaka’s KidznTeentheatre takes it to the next level with Evolution Revolution.
Director Ronnie Short says that working with concepts of physical theatre and music encouraged the group to try something different.
‘‘ Evolution Revolution is physical theatre, shadow-play, shape- shifting, backed by soundtracks and use of choral speaking and over-voicing to weave a story rich with universal archetypes and themes.’’
Finally, Nelson’s Ironic Theatre of the Absurd adds a comedic touch with Mr Beckenbauer’s Unfortunate Encounter With Enlightenment.
The only show written, directed and acted solely by young people, it looks at how an uptight man becomes rattled by the unpredictable actions of those around him.